Essendon is keeping its expectations in check in the wake of Joe Daniher’s performance against Melbourne.

Daniher kicked five goals including a crucial set-shot goal late in the match to help his side to a nine-point victory.

The 21 year old had kicked four goals eight in the three matches leading up to the game against the Demons.

“You’ve got to set realistic expectations,” Essendon Coach James Hird said. 

“He’s only been in the game for three years, he’s yet to play 50 games so he’s still young. 

“At 200 centimetres, he’s a guy that will take a while to get to his full potential.” 

The tall forward made his debut in 2013 after arriving at the club under the father-son rule.

Daniher has kicked 27 goals this season, one less than his contribution last year, with at least eight matches still remaining.

He is the third youngest player in the AFL’s top 15 goal kickers. 

“We hope he plays like he did last week and kicks goals and competes, but we’re also realistic that young players come in and out of form,” Hird said.

“We’ve set a base standard for him that we don’t want him to go below and he needs to meet that every week.”