Footy legend Neale Daniher has died aged 65 after a long battle with motor neurone disease.
His passing was confirmed on Monday, with his family releasing a statement confirming the tragic news.
‘We’re heartbroken to share that our much-loved husband, Dad and Poppy, Neale Daniher, passed away at home, surrounded by his family,’ the statement read.
‘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.
‘Even in the toughest times, he kept pushing forward, determined to land as many blows as he could against his toughest opponent, all with a cheeky grin and a sharp sense of humour that never left him.’
Neale died two weeks before the annual King’s Birthday match between Melbourne and Collingwood, which has played host to the Big Freeze fundraiser that raised money for his FightMND charity.
AFL icon Neale Daniher has lost his long battle with motor neurone disease aged 65
The former Essendon star and Demons coach dedicated the rest of his life to fighting the incurable condition after he was diagnosed in 2013
Neale is pictured with his wife Jan and Anthony Albanese after being named the 2025 Australian of the Year
He is survived by his wife Jan and children Bec, Ben, Luke and Lauren.
Neale was named the 2019 Victorian of the Year and became Australian of the Year in 2025 due to his outstanding work fighting the incurable disease that took his life.
He remained firmly in the public eye as the disease left him wheelchair-bound and struggling to speak.
A new generation of football fans came to associate the man nicknamed ‘Reverend’ with his leadership of the Big Freeze, which has seen celebrities in fancy dress slide into a freezing pool at the MCG for the last nine years.
Neale was diagnosed with MND in 2013, with the awful news becoming public the following year.
He decided to dedicate the rest of his life to raising awareness about the condition, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2016.
One of 11 children, Daniher was born in West Wyalong in central western NSW.
The Essendon great played 82 matches for the Bombers from 1979 to 1990 before going on to be the club’s assistant coach from 1992 to 1994.
Daniher (with ball) is pictured starring for Essendon in 1990, his last year before retiring as a player before going into coaching
Daniher was one of 11 children. He’s pictured top right with his brothers and fellow footy stars Terry, Chris and Anthony
Neale is pictured with family members as he did a lap of honour at last year’s Big Freeze at the MCG. The annual event is due to be held again in two weeks
The man known as ‘Reverend’ became a two-club legend when he coached the Melbourne Demons from 1998 to 2007 (pictured)
He was then an assistant with Fremantle from 1995 to 1997 before becoming head coach of the Melbourne Demons in 1998.
Daniher held that position until 2007, taking the club to fourth on the ladder in his first season in charge and leading the Dees to the grand final in 2000, only to see them lose to the Bombers.
‘He brought light and laughter wherever he went,’ the Neale family’s statement continued.
‘He loved deeply and was loved just as much in return by his family and friends.
‘Across every part of his life, Neale left his mark.
‘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, dad, a proud Poppy, a music 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 ever could.’
Neale’s death comes just days after Aussie sport was left shaken by the news that South Sydney NRL star Jai Arrow has been forced to retire after being diagnosed with MND aged just 30.
The Bombers great – who made history with his brothers Terry, Chris and Anthony when they all played in the same Essendon team against St Kilda – moved into administration after his time as a coach was over.
He served as the chief executive of the AFL Coaches’ Association from 2007 to 2008, then as the general manager of football operations for the West Coast Eagles from 2009 to 2013.
