JOE DANIHER has revealed he’s got ‘back to basics’ with his goal kicking technique under the tutelage of Essendon great Matthew Lloyd.

Lloyd has returned to the Bombers in an official capacity for the first time since his retirement and will work with the players as a specialist goalkicking coach this year. 

Despite being the Bombers leading goalkicker in his second AFL season, booting 28.20 in his 21 games, Daniher’s approach did not escape scrutiny.

“It was probably just bringing it back to basics and starting from the start again,” the 20-year-old told Radio 3AW.

“I feel like I had a pretty natural kick growing up and as I got into the AFL I probably didn’t have a set routine and it was about building that,” he said. 

“We haven’t completely changed my kicking style, it’s just about tinkering with a few things to make it a little more consistent.”

But the young forward admits he’s yet to embrace Lloyd’s trademark technique of throwing a pinch of grass up in the air before every set shot.

“I haven’t taken it that far just yet … I think Lloydy will try and bring that in later, before the start of the season,” Daniher joked.

Following Dyson Heppell’s five-year commitment to Essendon, attention has turned to the retention of the club’s other young stars.

Daniher’s family connection to the club makes him a near certainty to re-sign.

“I’m very comfortable in the red and black at the moment,” Daniher said. 

“(It is) a very good show of faith from Dyson, and I think he like everyone else at our football club is very excited about the direction we’re heading, and hopefully a couple more can sign just like Dyson did.”