Joe Daniher can't say when he will return from his groin injury, but hopes to be in Essendon's forward line by the "back end" of the season.

The 24-year-old, who last year won the Bombers' best and fairest and was named an All Australian for the first time, hasn't played since round seven after the club admitted he had been battling osteitis pubis.

The Bombers originally said the key forward would be out for at least four weeks, but earlier this week revealed he had yet to start running in his rehabilitation program.

Daniher, who had kicked just eight goals before suffering the injury after a career-high tally of 65 last season, said the injury was taking longer than he'd like to settle.

"It's probably a little slower than I'd like, as any footballer that's on the sidelines has that feeling where you try and push to get back as quick as possible, but I'm fully understanding I need to get this right to have the best chance of succeeding at the back end of the year," Daniher said on Wednesday.

"Hopefully that includes some finals footy for our club and we keep winning, get on a roll and that's what will take place."

Daniher said he couldn't put a deadline on when he would be available again for senior selection, but he appears at least several more weeks away.

He described his fitness program as "all the fun stuff – swimming, bikes, cross-training", but said there was still an element of pain associated his injury despite the layoff.

"With any injury you get a little bit of pain, but I know how much is good pain and I know how much is too much. I've had it for a little while now and I'm looking forward to putting it behind me," Daniher said.

Essendon's spearhead fronted the media alongside his uncle Neale Daniher as the club presented a cheque on behalf of the Bombers for the FightMND campaign.

Neale sent his nephew a message of support earlier this year when Joe's poor form attracted scrutiny, and on Wednesday addressed the Bombers ahead of the annual Big Freeze clash at the MCG on Monday between Melbourne and Collingwood.

All 18 coaches will head down the slide and into icy water ahead of the game, and Daniher said he had asked the Bombers to decide on the outfit their coach John Worsfold will wear during the event. 

"It's great to be back at the club all us boys played at and it's great to have their support," he said.

"I said [to the players] John looks like an introvert but deep down there's a raging extrovert somewhere and I need the players to come up with something outrageous for him and they're working on it."