25/05/2026
Just perfect. What an incredible way to put into words the impact of Neale Daniher.
Vale, Neale Daniher 💚
The term “hero” is bandied around a lot, but today we lost a real one in Neale Daniher AO.
Neale earnt the respect of the footy world for his pursuits as a fierce and tenacious player, and later a universally-respected coach, but he’ll be most remembered for his work off the field.
Diagnosed with MND, or ‘The Beast’ as he called it, more than 12 years ago, Neale was resigned to his fate from the get-go but was determined to fight it until the very end and make change along the way.
Along with his remarkable family and band of supporters, he went on to raise more than $100 million for research into MND - a wicked disease with no treatment or cure.
More than the money, and more than the publicity, Neale was able to unite a country for a cause - to find a cure for The Beast - and along the way find a reason to enjoy life and smile. And that he did, every step of the way.
Life is not kind, he often said, but there is always light in the darkness as long as there is fight in the dog.
We are all better for having known him and poorer for his passing.
Vale, Neale Daniher.
