Neale Daniher, the former AFL player and coach who became a prominent campaigner for motor neurone disease research, has died at the age of 65. His family announced on Monday that he passed away at home, 13 years after his diagnosis.
In a statement, his family described him as a fighter with unmatched determination. “From day one, Neale was a fighter. 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,” they said.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon led tributes, saying Daniher’s legacy extended far beyond football. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised his “selflessness and bravery”, while opposition leader Angus Taylor noted he “never waved a white flag”. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed plans for a state memorial service.
Daniher played for Essendon alongside three of his brothers, becoming the first and only set of four brothers to play together in a VFL/AFL game. He later coached Melbourne from 1998 to 2007, taking charge of 223 games, and served as general manager of football at West Coast.
After his MND diagnosis, he co-founded FightMND, which has raised more than $100 million through initiatives like the Big Freeze. He was awarded an AO in 2021 and named Australian of the Year in 2023. He is survived by his wife and children.
