Joe Daniher will make his AFL return for the Essendon Bombers.
Joe Daniher, an Essendon forward, will make his long-awaited return to AFL football against Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening.
Bombers coach John Worsfold stated Daniher will play against the Hawks if he completes a light training session on Wednesday morning.
Daniher, 26, has not played since round nine of 2019 owing to recurring groin injuries and unsuccessfully requested a trade to Sydney at the close of the previous season.
“The good news is, we expect him to play,” Worsfold told reporters on Wednesday.
“So we’ve obviously got a light session this morning but we’re really excited that Joe’s done the work to be available, ready to step back up and play some footy — which is great for Joe, great for us [and] great for footy.”
Given the limited nature of scratch matches this year, Essendon decided to immediately reintroduce Daniher into their AFL squad after raising his load through competitive training sessions.
Worsfold stated that Daniher would have been ready to play earlier if not for a slight calf issue, and that the forward is “comfortable and excited” to return.
“So we’ve obviously got a light session this morning but we’re really excited that Joe’s done the work to be available, ready to step back up and play some footy — which is great for Joe, great for us [and] great for footy.”
Given the restricted number of scratch matches this year, Essendon elected to immediately reinsert Daniher into the AFL squad after increasing his workload through competitive training sessions.
Worsfold indicated that Daniher would have been ready to play earlier but for a minor calf injury, and that the forward is “comfortable and excited” to return.
“Obviously, it rests with Joe’s desires mainly.”
Cale Hooker and Conor McKenna are expected to return against Hawthorn, while Dyson
Worsfold declined to comment on whether such additions could help Essendon’s fading finals ambitions.
“Our first focus is to just go through the normal protocols of getting these guys back playing,” Worsfold said in a statement.
“They’re itching to play—Joe’s been working his tail off to get himself back and restart his football career.
“So we’re really happy about that, and Dyson can’t wait to get back out there and play with the guys.
“So whether that’s [in] another two or three games we don’t know yet — we’ll just keep progressing him.”
