Joe, the son of 118-game Bomber Anthony, has kicked 20 goals in six games with the Calder Cannons this season and the club's region manager Ian Kyte is confident he has the ability to forge a stellar career at the elite level.
"Potentially he could be one of the best players to ever go through the TAC Cup in the 21 years I've seen of it, since its been going, and that's putting him up against people like [Chris] Judd, [Tom] Scully [and Trent] Cotchin," Kyte says.
"His ability to take a mark at the highest point is fantastic. He takes the ball at probably three-and-a-half to four metres [off the ground] and on a lead he's pretty hard to stop.
"He's somebody who's played little TAC Cup football because of injury, but I think with another year under his belt … Essendon are going to benefit next year and hopefully for the next 10 years to come."
AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan likens the 201cm left footer to Essendon and Hawthorn champion Paul Salmon with the Dons fortunate to be in a position to snare the talented youngster.
Under the father-son bidding system Essendon will need to part with its first-round draft pick at the coming national draft to secure Daniher, assuming another club ahead of it in the draft order bids for him - which is certain to happen.
When the Bombers were flying in second place on the ladder after round nine, that pick would have been at No.21, but on their current ladder position (10th) that selection will be 11th overall.
Even at that inflated price the imposing forward, who earned All Australian honours for his performances at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, will be a bargain basement pick up with several AFL recruiters deeming him worthy of the No.1 draft pick.
Daniher could also have joined the Sydney Swans under the father-son rule - Anthony played 115 games with the Swans - but he committed to join the club that shares strong links with the Daniher name in January of last year.
"The club has looked after my three uncles (Terry, Neale and Chris), they've looked after my dad and they've looked after my brother (Darcy)," Daniher says.
"More importantly, they've looked after my whole family. They've been amazing in looking after me and I just really want to show them what I can do and really give back to them what they've given to my family.
"Footy's been my life for so many years and its been a massive part of my family. It's always been something that I've wanted to do and aspired to do and I can't wait to get the chance to maybe one day play at the highest level."
