Former AFL footballer, Australian of the Year and motor neurone disease campaigner Neale Daniher has died at the age of 65. His family announced his passing in a statement, saying: 'We're heartbroken to share that our much-loved husband, Dad and Poppy, Neale Daniher, passed away at home, surrounded by his family.'
Daniher played 82 games for Essendon over an injury-plagued career from 1979 to 1990, and later coached Melbourne for more than 220 games from 1998 to 2007. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013 and dedicated his later years to raising awareness and funds for research, earning him Victorian of the Year in 2019 and Australian of the Year in 2025.
Born in West Wyalong, New South Wales, in 1961, Daniher joined Essendon in 1979 alongside his older brother Terry. He showed early promise, playing 23 games and kicking nine goals in his first season, earning Recruit of the Year honours. He won Essendon's Best and Fairest in 1981 and was named club captain in 1982, becoming the youngest player ever selected for the role, though a knee injury prevented him from leading the team onto the field.
Daniher's career was marred by multiple knee reconstructions, but he made several comebacks, including a 1985 return where he credited his brothers for support. In his final season in 1990, he played alongside his three football-playing siblings in an Essendon side. After retiring, he served as an assistant coach at Essendon and Fremantle before coaching Melbourne to the 2000 AFL Grand Final, losing to his old club.
Daniher later worked as general manager of football operations at West Coast before stepping down due to health reasons. In 2014, he revealed his MND diagnosis, calling the disease 'the beast'. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
