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Sydney will attempt to secure Joe Daniher’s full medical files before signing off on a bid to recruit the injury-marred forward.
Daniher, 26, has only more game to go before he must decide on his future after his trade request to the Swans fell through last year. While the Swans, Geelong and Brisbane are still interested in Daniher, his scan results and the specifics of his groin rehabilitation program is prized information.
Sydney won’t make a long-term investment in Daniher unless it is confident he is over the worst of the groin problems, which limited him to 14 games in the past three years.
It is a sensible approach from the Swans as they look to add some key pieces to an exciting young list that has remained competitive this season and upset Melbourne one week ago. But it remains unclear whether Essendon’s medical staff will speak with Sydney’s doctors about Daniher’s condition and any specific concerns ahead of the exchange period. Essendon is understood to be reluctant to part with any of the intellectual property surrounding Daniher’s groins as it strives to keep the star goal kicker.
It is customary for club doctors to speak about players’ injuries around trade time, but the Daniher issue is extremely sensitive as Essendon tries to re-contract the free agent.
In particular, the Bombers were able to glean important information when it sent Daniher to see a world-leading specialist in Ireland following surgery last year. It means the Swans and Lions will want to put Daniher through a full medical assessment to check his groins at season’s end before proceeding with the free agency move. That could happen as early as next week if Daniher expresses his desire to explore his free agency options.
