Daniel Maher’s mobility as a ruckman has been something Stanhope coach Adam Lovison has used to benefit his team and his presence has allowed regular ruckman Daniel Flynn to go forward.
Confidence is an amazing thing and Stanhope ruckman Daniel Maher is making the most of his newfound self-belief to produce his best season of senior football since debuting with Tongala as a teenager way back in 2015.
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His arrival at Stanhope, to join former teammate and coach Adam Lovison, has allowed the Lions the luxury of playing regular ruckman Daniel Flynn in the forward line and Maher has cashed in on the freedom the role has allowed him.
He is probably shorter than at least half-a-dozen of his teammates, but is among the first pencilled into his rucking role when Lovison picks the team after training on a Thursday evening.
“Lovo has always been a very positive and supportive person and coach. I think him getting behind me asking me at the start of the year where I’ve always wanted to play has helped me with my confidence,” Maher said.
“I still don’t think I have reached my peak potential but there’s still time left in the year.”
A winger and half-back at junior level, it was only in his last season with Tongala, at reserve-grade level, that he started to ply his trade as a ruckman.
Maher played 74 reserve grade games (including two grand final wins) and 15 senior games between 2016-23, but has played every game in the seniors at Stanhope this season.
Maher, who is just 26 years old, has been among the Lions’ best half-dozen players in seven of their 10 games this year, but also paid tribute to Flynn for the role he had played in him understanding the rucking role completely.
“Flynny has been great, trying to help me out as much as he can and give me pointers. He’s still rucking as well, but he’s also a very handy target for us up forward,” he said.
At just 183cm Maher is a very undersized ruckman, but his work at ground level and determination has made up for his lack of size. He also thrives on the challenge of fronting up against the KDL’s big boys.
“I enjoy the challenge of being able to get up over some of the big tall more experienced ruckman.”
The Kyabram-based Wild Earthmoving employee married Maddi McAuliffe in October last year and joined Stanhope this year with his now-brother-in-law Blake McAuliffe.
“Blake made the switch with me to Stanhope, so we could start at a new club together. This made the introduction to a new club less daunting,” he said.
Maher, who played eight seasons of mostly reserve-grade football with Tongala in the Murray league prior to breaking back into senior ranks at Stanhope, debuted in a strong Tongala team while still playing under-17 football in 2015.
“I was 17 and debuted as the sub. Tonny seniors were pretty strong that year with Dave Newman coaching seniors.
“I was always a fit kid and would often train with the senior boys after our under-17 sessions. I think that helped,” he said.
He played 74 reserve-grade games and 15 in the senior side between 2016-23, spending almost the entire 2018 season in the senior ranks.
Maher said he was probably his own worst enemy while playing at Tongala.
Injuries cost him opportunities at the next level, which impacted his confidence and, in the end, he was content playing reserves.
The bonus was that he played in two Tongala premierships at that level.
“Joining Stanhope has done my confidence a world of good with constant good feedback from teammates and having fun, while also being competitive,” he said.
Maher started his football as a junior with Echuca, his under-18 coach not able to guarantee him a place in the side and suggesting that Tongala might be a better fit.
He took the advice and never looked back, something which he has repeated with his latest move to Stanhope.
The Tongala connection is strong at Stanhope, which has made Maher’s introduction to the team the perfect fit.
“There are a few teammates at Stanhope who also played at Tonny. Lovo was a massive part in my recruitment to Stanhope as we also played together at Tongala,” he said.
