Joe Daniher from the Essendon Football Club is the Round 12 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.

The 201cm forward/ruckman is strong overhead and has great mobility. The left-footer is also an accurate set shot at goal.

The son of Anthony Daniher, Joe was a high profile first round father-son selection in 2012 (selection 10 overall). He made his AFL debut in Round 11 last year and played five games.

The 20-year-old has played every game this year and his last two weeks have been his best with three goals against both Richmond and the GWS Giants. 

Of the players eligible for the NAB AFL Rising Star, he is currently ranked first in goals, contested marks and marks inside 50.

Essendon coach Mark Thompson said he is pleased with the development of the key position player.

“We’re thrilled Joe has been recognised as a Rising Star nominee this week. He has shown glimpses of his potential, he is young but he is a true professional. He works hard, he trains even harder and he takes the game on,” Thompson said.

“It’s exciting to see someone with a big future, and that’s Joe. While he does still have a long way to go, we have no doubt he will help our football club for many years.”

Joe is the second Essendon player to be nominated this year following Zach Merrett last week. It’s not the first time two Essendon players have been nominated in as many weeks. In 1993, the first year of the Rising Star, James Hird and Dustin Fletcher were nominated in Rounds Eight and Nine and Ricky Olarenshaw and Mark Mercuri were nominated in Rounds 19 and 20.

Joe was recruited from the Aberfeldie Junior Football Club and the Calder Cannons. He represented Vic Metro in the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was named an Under-18 All-Australian. Joe is also a graduate of the AFL Academies program.