Former AFL Player and Coach Neale Daniher Dies Aged 65

Former player and AFL coach Neale Daniher has died, 13 years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The 65-year-old’s family issued a statement on Monday confirming Daniher had passed away at home.

“From day one, Neale was a fighter,” the statement read. “His determination was unmatched – choosing every day to find opportunity where others might only see challenge, and taking the fight to the Beast with everything he had.”

Daniher played for Essendon and later coached Melbourne between 1998 and 2007. He also held coaching positions with Fremantle and West Coast.

“Across every part of his life, Neale left his mark,” the family statement continued. “Many knew him as ‘coach’ or ‘reverend’ during his time at the Dees, while at the Dons he was respected as a fierce and calculating player, with a brilliant football mind.

“He was a natural leader, someone people were drawn to and looked up to. But beyond all of that, he was a loving husband and dad, a proud Poppy, a mucis lover and the one with the biggest laugh in the room.

“He was known for his quick wit, his humour, and his ability to bring people together – qualities that defined him far more than any title could.”

Since his MND diagnosis, Daniher became a prominent campaigner for medical research into the disease. He co-founded the charity FightMND, which among other initiatives spearheads the Big Freeze, an annual fundraising and awareness campaign which culminates at the Big Freeze at the ‘G event. The award for the game’s best player is named the Neale Daniher Trophy.

Last year he was named Australian of the Year for his advocacy work.

More to follow.