PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Joe Daniher of the Bombers looks to gather the ball against Michael Johnson of the Dockers during the round two AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium on March 31, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Former Essendon great Tim Watson believes the Bombers need to allow Joe Daniher to roam more freely around the ground to maximise his output.

The All Australian forward has been restricted to only two goals this season but Watson believes Essendon should play him more on the ball and up the field and not limit him to the forward 50.

Last Saturday against Fremantle was the first time Daniher was kept goalless since round seven in 2016, however, Watson is not concerned about his slow start to the year.

“He is a freedom-type forward. He likes to get up the ground and likes to move about. He is not big, hustling, bustling man-on-man, use your strength,” the former Essendon captain said on SEN Breakfast this morning.

“Having watched him closely over the years, there has been times when he has been released, he has gone into the ruck for five or so minutes and that has given him the freedom to move and play the instinctive way.

“Maybe that’s what he needs to return to.”

The four-time Bombers best and fairest winner also flirted with the idea of Daniher playing on a wing, saying it would cause defensive problems for opposition sides.

“No side is just going to allow Joe Daniher to sit out there on the wing, so you’re going to shift their defence just by your placement of him,” he said.

At 24 years of age, Daniher has already claimed a best and fairest, an All Australian honour and mark of the year.

Essendon’s round three clash with the Bulldogs will take place at 3:20pm at Etihad on Sunday afternoon.