ESSENDON champion Terry Daniher wants the Bombers to undertake a whole-of-club review after his nephew Joe's "disappointing" decision to depart.

Joe Daniher told Essendon on Wednesday he would exercise his free agency rights, and is set to join Brisbane, a day after teammate Adam Saad requested a trade to Carlton.

The Bombers can match any offer, because Daniher – the son of Anthony Daniher, who played 233 games for the club – is a restricted free agent.

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The news comes a year after he unsuccessfully requested a trade to Sydney.

"He'd be pretty relieved he's finally made a decision and, of course, nothing's been finalised – the paperwork (is still) to be done," Terry Daniher told SEN radio.

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"But that's football in the day, modern footy, and that's the way it goes. We'll be sorry to see him go, but that's the way it is.

"There's maybe a little bit of disappointment and we're all asking questions a little bit on why and how it comes about.

"Obviously there are reasons for it, for him to make the decision he has, and, of course, Saad wanting to move on as well … reasons I don't know. There's no need speculating, but it is disappointing."

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Terry said the 2017 All-Australian forward was "a fairly private type of guy" who would have made his free agency call in close consultation with his father, Anthony, and his agent, TLA Australia's Nigel Carmody.

"In the end, it came down to his decision on what he wants to do with his footy. Let's face it, it goes pretty quick – you've got 10 years in it," he said.

"We all want to have some success along the way. Whether that's one of the reasons or not, I'm not too sure; that he doesn't think Essendon is in a position at this very moment to give that.

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"But he has another hurdle to overcome – and that's his injuries and problems with his groins. I just hope, fingers crossed, that he can get them right and he can get out and enjoy his footy."

Terry wants to see incoming president Paul Brasher oversee an internal review, given his view that "there's something not quite right out there at the club at the moment".

He also urged Brasher to be "open and transparent" throughout the process.

"He needs to do an investigation into what's actually going on and get it right pretty quick, otherwise it's pretty despondent if you're a member and supporter of what's been a great club," he said.

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"They need to do a good review, shake the whole place up and look like they're enjoying their football again."