Melbourne is trying to lure ex-Brisbane star Joe Daniher out of retirement but is likely to struggle in their mission, according to several sources.
The Lions forward retired after his team won the AFL grand final last season, but the Demons see him as a potential option to improve their attack in 2026.
Mitch Cleary reports that Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin - who was an assistant when Daniher was at the Bombers - and the player's former Essendon team-mate Jake Melksham have led the charge to recruit the 31-year-old back into the AFL.
However, Daniher's Brisbane team-mate Dayne Zorko believes the Lions are the only club the key forward would come out of retirement for.
MORE: Will Joe Daniher come out of AFL retirement?
“From our conversations with Joe in the last 24 hours, I find it very unlikely,” Zorko told SENQ Breakfast.
“He left at the peak of his game as a premiership player. I know he’s a fantastic player. He loves AFL but I don’t think he loves it that much to make a return.
“There could be calls trying but I don’t think it will happen.
“Fages said a few weeks back that if he did come back and play it would be with Brisbane. Theres no doubt clubs will reach out.
“Knowing how happy he is off the field I would find it very hard to believe he wants to strap the boots on and do a pre-season.”
Speaking on their SEN breakfast show, Melbourne legend Garry Lyon and Essendon icon Tim Watson both dismissed the prospect of Daniher cutting his retirement short.
"There’s no way known that he’ll be coming out of retirement," Watson said, with his family having close ties to the Danihers due to their Essendon connection.
Lyon said: "That’s interesting. I don’t think Joey is coming out of retirement anytime soon."