The family of Neale Daniher has accepted a Victorian state funeral for the footy legend after he died following a long battle with motor neurone disease.
Daniher’s death comes 13 years after he was first diagnosed with the illness, and more than a decade after he was medically expected to pass on.
The tragic news about the footy icon, who became the face of MND awareness, came weeks before the popular Collingwood-Melbourne King’s Birthday match at the MCG.
A now annual fixture, the match has become a major fundraiser for MND research through the Big Freeze pre-game promotion, with Daniher taking centre stage.
Many Australians have since paid tribute to the popular figure, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leading the way.
‘With the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for the great Australian,’ Albanese said in parliament on Monday.
Neale Daniher (pictured) will be honoured with a state funeral after his family agreed to a public commemoration of his life
Neale Daniher (pictured right of daughter Bec) has been leading the fight against motor neurone disease since his diagnosis was made public in 2014
‘Neale fought what he called The Beast with the courage, optimism, and passion that brought hope and inspiration into the lives of everyone affected by MND,’ he added.
‘I think it is safe to say that there has never been an (Australian of the Year) award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian.’
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and the two clubs most closely associated with Daniher, Essendon and Melbourne, featured in widespread tributes.
Former Demons player and AFL commentator Garry Lyon said the King’s Birthday game on June 8 will be even more massive than it already has become.
‘This is an opportunity for Collingwood people, Melbourne people and anyone else who cares to come along to the MCG and fill that joint to the absolute top,’ Lyon said.
‘The first chance that we’re going to get to pay our respects publicly, apart from the state funeral, is to get to that game on the King’s Birthday.
‘There’s a chance to make that one of the more memorable games in recent times.’
Daniher was diagnosed with MND in 2013. The condition is incurable and fatal.
Daniher (pictured middle) was awarded the 2025 Australian of the Year accolade (pictured left, Neale Daniher’s wife Jan) and (pictured right, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)
Daniher (pictured) is being remembered as an AFL icon
The disease eventually confined him to a wheelchair, with the icon then losing the ability to speak.
He devoted the rest of his life to raising money for medical research and advocated for other people suffering from the disease.
He helped start the FightMND charity and was its figurehead.
Once Daniher could not talk, he used technology to continue communicating through a screen.
His second book, detailing his attitude to life and what had happened to him, was released last year.
‘We’re heartbroken to share that our much-loved husband, Dad and Poppy, Neale Daniher, passed away at home, surrounded by his family,’ the Danihers said in their statement.
‘From day one, Neale was a fighter. His determination was unmatched – choosing every day to find opportunity where others might see only challenge, and taking the fight to the Beast with everything he had.’
The statement added that long before the illness, Daniher had been the heart of his family.
He was one of 11 children raised by Jim and Edna Daniher on a farm at Ungarie, New South Wales.
They formed one of the greatest dynasties in Australian sporting history. Neale, along with Terry, Anthony and Chris, made history in September 1990 when they played in the same Essendon team.
Knee injuries cruelled Daniher’s playing career and he then coached Melbourne for nearly a decade, earning the nickname The Reverend.
He was football manager at West Coast when his time in AFL ended because of the MND diagnosis.
‘Across every part of his life, Neale left his mark,’ his family said, adding he was a natural leader.
‘But beyond all of that, he was a loving husband, dad, a proud Poppy, a music lover, and the one with the biggest laugh in the room.’
Daniher’s family also thanked the community that supported them during his illness.
‘We will forever remember him for the lasting impact that he has made on us all. He has inspired, he has loved, he has lived and it would only be fitting to finish with his words – Play On,’ they said.
Daniher is survived by his wife Jan, their four children and six grandchildren.
