Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has stated he was unaware of reports suggesting star forward Joe Daniher could call time on his AFL career.
Daniher helped lead the Lions to their first premiership in 21 years on Saturday, booting 2.4 from 16 disposals and eight marks as the Queenslanders notched up a 60-point victory over Sydney.
Heading into the game, Daniher was at the centre of speculation that the 2024 season could be his last at the top level, with the key forward said to have been weighing up his playing future.
Under contract for next year, the 30-year-old had reportedly informed those close to him that he was no certainty to play in 2025.
Speaking to ABC Sport, Fagan was questioned on the reports surrounding Daniher, with the premiership coach playing a straight bat and denying he was aware of Daniher's situation.
"I don't know the answer to that question," Fagan said.ย "I didn't know of that report.
"I better go ask him afterwards (smiles)."
Daniher took out the club's leading goalkicker gong for 2024 with 58 goals from 27 matches.
Daniher was one of four multiple goalkickers for the Lions against the Swans and among 10 separate Brisbane players to kick a major in the dominant display in front of 100,013 fans.
Ground-level threats Kai Lohmann and Callum Ah Chee booted four goals each, while rookie Logan Morris contributed two of his own to finish off a stellar rookie season at AFL level.
Morris is among the short list of players behind Daniher in the Lions' tall forward pecking order, with athletic attacker Eric Hipwood - who kicked one goal in the grand final - the other to feature against the Swans.
Ex-Hawk Brandon Ryan and uncapped first-year forward Luke Lloyd wait in the wings, while defender Darcy Gardiner was trialled as a forward this year before suffering an ACL injury in May.
Brisbane's win over Sydney sees them locked in at Pick 18 for November's National Draft, where they're in line to add potential first-round pair Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall as father-son and Academy additions respectively.
