Bombers get jump on Swans for young Daniher
Emma Quayle
December 17, 2006
ESSENDON has jumped Sydney, inviting potential father-son recruit Darcy Daniher to train with the club.
Daniher, the son of former full-back Anthony Daniher, has spent one day a week at Windy Hill since the Bombers began their pre-season last month.
The 17-year-old, who will return to the Calder Cannons after Christmas, is also able to be drafted by the Swans, where his father played 115 games between 1981 and 1986.
Anthony moved to Essendon in 1987, where he played a further 119 matches alongside brothers Chris, Terry and Neale, the latter pair also let go by the Swans in an infamous trade deal.
Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro hoped the short training stint would give Daniher a glimpse of life at an AFL club and allow the Bombers to get to know him better.
A 192-centimetre defender, Daniher spent most of last season in the Cannons' side, returning from injury to play in the losing grand final team. He is eligible to be taken by either club at the 2007 draft and is considered a promising prospect.
"We've had him out to have a bit of a run with us. It's just an introduction, that's all it is, to show him a bit of what it's all about," Dodoro said. "Clubs have done it before. Brisbane did it with Jonathan Brown, and we're just doing the same thing. Hopefully, it will help him next year with his footy and help us get to know him.
"It's been good to have him out and have him get to know our club a bit more. He only lives up the road, he barracks for the Bombers and so we're just there to assist him."
Essendon has three father-son recruits on its list — champion defender Dustin Fletcher, Jobe Watson and Jay Neagle, who is in his second pre-season with the club.
Terry Daniher had played 19 games in two years for the Swans when he was sent to Essendon in exchange for star centreman Neville Fields, with Neale Daniher, zoned to the Swans, thrown in, too.
Essendon is speaking with delisted Adelaide forward Hayden Skipworth about playing for its VFL affiliate, the Bendigo Bombers, next season. Skipworth, 23, who came to the Crows from Woodville-West Torrens, was overlooked in last week's pre-season draft.
Bendigo also has spoken to former Collingwood defender Jason Cloke, who is contemplating offers from SANFL clubs.
Another Daniher?
Or any holes at FB when Fletch retires. It would be fitting. Tony played at FB before the arrival of Fletch. Now the young Daniher could succeed Fletch when he retires. Hopefully unlike his Dad the young Daniher will get to play in a premiership.bowzer wrote:tall defenders are coming in thick and fast, our chb problems are bound to be fixed!
