ESSENDON coach John Worsfold says he has no concerns about injured star Joe Daniher's recent meeting with Sydney chief executive Tom Harley.
The Bombers spearhead, who is recovering from surgery to fix his debilitating groin injury, visited Harley's home in Sydney while the 25-year-old was in the city for a medical appointment.
The pair have long links, dating back to when Daniher was coming through the national talent pathway and Harley was a coach with the AFL Academy.
Joe's mature enough to make those decisions and the fact that it's public is not an issue for us - John Worsfold
But the meeting has created a stir in the industry, with Sydney on the lookout for a long-term forward with superstar Lance Franklin's career edging towards its end.
Worsfold said Daniher, who was at Essendon on Wednesday with other injured teammates, had only had a "coffee with a mate".
JUST A CATCH-UP Swans confirm meeting between Harley and Daniher
"That's what he told us [it was]. I'm more than comfortable that Joe's mature enough to make those decisions and the fact that it's public is not an issue for us. Everyone just get on and live your life, and we'll be cruisey," the coach said on Wednesday.
Worsfold said he hadn't addressed the topic with Daniher, who is signed until the end of 2020, this week since the news emerged.
When asked directly if he held any concerns around Daniher's long-term future at the Bombers, Worsfold said: "I'm excited about how good he's going to be for us next year.
Welcome back, Joe Daniher! #AFLNorthDons pic.twitter.com/3n9JVhYo9s
— AFL (@AFL) April 19, 2019
"I'm really excited about that and seeing Joey hopefully becoming a premiership player with the Essendon footy club," he said.
Daniher won the Bombers' Crichton Medal in 2017, when he was named an All Australian forward and booted 65 goals in the season, including four goals in their elimination final loss to the Swans.
He has played only 11 games since then, however, having been dogged by osteitis pubis in both seasons, and this year underwent surgery in a bid to correct the problem.
Key forwards shouldn't be able to sell candy and finish like this!
— AFL (@AFL) April 25, 2019
Joe Daniher's got four!#AFLDonsPies pic.twitter.com/JIrbE9vyjI
"Joe's already a best and fairest winner at this footy club and he's got a very exciting amount to continue to add to the club," Worsfold said.
"My focus for Joey is helping him get back to loving the game which will make him a great player for us."
Worsfold said he was unaware if Daniher was satisfied with the management of his injury.
"You'd have to ask him," he said.
"My sense is what I know, which is we've worked extremely hard on going through the protocols and getting heaps of advice on Joe's issues and making decisions on that.
"I've seen how hard the guys [have worked] and how much time a massive group of people have put on helping not only Joe but any injured player."
Daniher heads on a bulging injury list as the Bombers attempt to reach the finals, with all eyes on captain Dyson Heppell (foot) as he attempts to return to face the Western Bulldogs after two weeks on the sidelines.
The skipper trained with the main group on Wednesday morning, however Aaron Francis (neck) and Darcy Parish (concussion) were not out there and will need to prove their fitness.