Essendon legend Tim Watson has expressed 'real concerns' over the long-term fitness of star forward Joe Daniher, who is still battling chronic groin problems in the last year of his contract with the Bombers.
The 26-year old has not played a senior game in over 12 months and remained at Essendon after an unsuccessful trade request to Sydney last offseason.
Essendon coach John Worsfold spoke at a press conference Tuesday, stating his return remains "a fair way off" and was unable to give a definitive answer if Daniher will play at all in 2020.
Speaking onย SENย before Worsfold's press conference, Essendon great Tim Watson expressed his concerns over Daniher's future.
โI wouldnโt say grave concerns, Iโve got real concerns though having watched them return to training yesterday and then understand that he is still at what I was told last night around 80 per cent,โ he said on SEN.
โNow I think thatโs probably being a bit generous."
โHeโs 80 per cent ready to get back to full training โฆ I think they are being really optimistic, but weโve been hearing this for a long time about how close Joe is to resuming full training."
โHe missed the start of the season, heโs had an interrupted pre-season so he hasnโt been able to involve himself in any full training, you have another almost seven weeks off and heโs still at that point where he canโt join in full training."
โYouโve got to start to get really concerned about his ability to be able to get over whatever this injury is, this groin-related injury. Itโs got to be a major concern.
โHe desperately wants to come back and play. I donโt think heโs going to play a lot of footy this year but I think he will play this year."
