They've had just one training session as a team but Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko says prize recruit Joe Daniher is already one of the pack after spending the AFL off-season in Queensland.
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The Essendon wantaway began life as a Lion on Wednesday when the club returned for a steamy first training session - a delayed return after another intense finals campaign finished with a disappointing preliminary final loss to Geelong.
But players have been training in groups since well before Christmas, former Bombers forward Daniher using the time to meet teammates and their families.
The 26-year-old earned All-Australian honours in 2017, kicking 65 goals to win Essendon's best and fairest gong.
But he played just 18 games in the next three seasons - including just four in 2020 - while also unsuccessfully seeking at trade to Sydney a year ago.
His arrival is a mouth-watering one on paper for Brisbane, with Daniher complementing Eric Hipwood, Daniel McStay and Charlie Cameron.
"It's an exciting time for our forward line no doubt, but we have to get it all healthy heading into round one," Zorko said.
"Since the season finished, Joe stayed up here the whole time; he's been around the group for three months and had fitted in seamlessly.
"At the moment he looks really fit and healthy and hopefully we can keep it that way."
Zorko anticipated Brisbane's more relaxed AFL environment would suit Daniher.
"I've only known him for three months but he's fitted into this lifestyle really well and seems to be a guy that likes to float undercover as much as possible and get his work done," he said.
"I'm glad he can come up here, enjoy his football again and mingle with the guys and their families as well and everyone loves him and his partner."
Australian Associated Press
