Brisbane Lions keen to avoid premiership hangover despite the loss of Joe Daniher

The Brisbane Lions are referencing the Lance Franklin precedent as they look to buck an AFL premiers trend and overcome the sudden retirement of Joe Daniher.

Daniher officially called time on his career on Thursday, signing off with a year still to go on his Lions contract but with a premiership medallion around his neck.

Coach Chris Fagan revealed it would have happened a year earlier if the Lions had beaten Collingwood in the 2023 decider.

A four-point loss convinced the former Essendon star to play on and eventually play a key role in an incredible journey to the flag.

The Lions smashed Sydney by 60 points on Saturday to win the club’s first premiership since 2003, having been the only club to contest the last six finals series.

But the task only gets tougher, given three of the four premiers before the Lions have failed to make finals the following season.

A reigning premier hasn’t won a final the following year since Richmond in 2020.

But Fagan is quietly confident they can overcome Daniher’s exit, having been in a similar situation with Hawthorn when Franklin left for Sydney after the Hawks won the 2013 flag.

Hawthorn comfortably beat the Swans in the final the next year, then thumped West Coast to make it three-in-a-row.

Lachie Neale, crowned Lions’ best and fairest on Thursday night, said the internal discussions were already positive.

“It’s pretty strong,” he said of their hunger.

“We’ve got to get back to work ... it’s easy to get found out.

“Collingwood this year, Geelong the year before won it and missed the finals a year after.”

The Lions could look for a short-term fix to fill the void, or bank on their current crop to do the work in a slightly different fashion.

“No idea yet,” Neale said of how they’d replace Daniher.

“Eric (Hipwood) has played that role before at a young age.

“Logan (Morris), Brandon Ryan, Darcy Fort and O (Oscar McInerney) ... who knows?”

Neale was able to swallow the splendour of a maiden premiership and savour a sixth overall club best and fairest, his fourth in six years at Brisbane following two in his last three years at Fremantle.

The midfielder saved praise for former Dockers great Matthew Pavlich after accepting the award, one vote ahead of five-time winner Dayne Zorko, on Thursday.

“I remember walking in and seeing Pav and his name on the locker with six best and fairest and thinking that guy’s a god and an immortal, and a South Australian boy as well,” Neale said.

“I never dreamed I’d become a six-time best and fairest player, so to be equal with him means more than people know.”