Anthony Daniher, father of Brisbane premiership player Joe, says he is expecting the key forward to be playing at the club in 2025 despite shock reports that he is weighing up his future.
Heading into the 2024 decider against Sydney, it was speculated that Daniher could be playing his last AFL game, walking away from football with one more year left to go on his contract.
Playing a crucial role in securing the club's fourth AFL flag, all eyes were on the left-footer as attempts were made to decipher any hint of a retirement.
Daniher's second goal in the final term (when the game was dead and buried) signalled an extreme show of emotion, leaping toward the crowd in pure joy as the premiership medallion was set to be handed over.
However, following the historic victory, coach Chris Fagan was surprised by the reports, which is the same sentiment his family shared.
"We're expecting him to be (at the Lions next year)," Daniher said on SEN.
"The words and talk have been fascinating. We don't understand where they've come from or how they've evolved.
"We expect him to be at the Lions next year.
"I think Joe is a guy who looks at things differently, but he's certainly not spoken to us about it.
"If it is, it'll be news to us."
The 30-year-old is still playing at an elite level, kicking 2.4 in Saturday's grand final which could have been much better.
Daniher's premiership medallion against the Swans proved to be a full-circle moment, given the fact that the 2024 runners up had an opportunity to land the Pick 10 in the 2012 National Draft twice.
The left-footer was eligible for a father-son selection at Sydney, given Anthony's 115 games for the club gave the Swans the opportunity.
Daniher opted to join Essendon, a club where his father played 118 games.
But in 2019, the All-Australian expressed his desire to leave the Melbourne bubble and join the Swans via a trade, something that couldn't be satisfied in the eyes of the Bombers.
12 months later, he exercised his right as a free agent and joined the Lions ahead of the 2021 season.