Neale Daniher has been remembered as a football legend, a devoted father and a “hero” at a state funeral at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The former footballer, coach, Australian and Victorian of the Year, and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner died at his home in Melbourne on May 25 at the age of 65.
His family accepted the Victorian government’s offer of a state funeral which is now underway at the MCG.
Large lines formed outside the MCG ahead of Neale Daniher’s state funeral. (Supplied)
Today’s funeral was open to the public through a ticket allocation.
A large crowd of mourners have gathered at the stadium to pay their respects to Daniher.
Among them are Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, opposition leaders Angus Taylor and Jess Wilson, and Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner.
Former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett, Steve Bracks, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine are also in attendance.
Sports broadcaster Hamish McLachlan is the master of ceremonies for the funeral.
He urged the crowd not to gather in grief alone, but in gratitude for Daniher’s efforts for MND awareness.
“What a privilege to have lived at a time when we can learn from a man we celebrate, honour and remember today,” he told the crowd.
“He understood something many of us learn when it’s all too late — that a life’s worth isn’t in its length but what you do with the time that you’re given.”
The funeral for Neale Daniher is being held under grey skies at the MCG. (Supplied)
Mr Albanese told those gathered that Daniher’s determination and humour and optimism during his fight against MND was inspiring.
“In footy’s tribal world of fierce loyalties there are very few people who have had this whole stadium barracking for them — Neale Daniher was one,” Mr Albanese said.
“In a place that has known its fair share of champions and legends, we come together today to remember someone who was so much more than that.
“Neale Daniher was a hero.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Neale Daniher was an inspiration for all Australians. (ABC News)
Ms Allan said Daniher lived up to his nickname of “The Reverend”.
“When Neale spoke, people felt it,” she said.
“He brought them in, not around anger or grievance but around purpose, around hope, around the belief that if enough people cared, something could change.”
She acknowledged Daniher’s approach to his illness and the support he received from his wife, Jan.
“[Neale] did not choose MND, but he did choose how he would meet it — with courage, with purpose, with love, by turning his own suffering into something that could help others.
Premier Jacinta Allan vowed the state of Victoria would continue Neale Daniher’s fight against MND. (Supplied)
Daniher remembered for his love of family
A montage of personal family photos was played as Jan Daniher rose to speak.
She noted her husband’s integrity, strength, sharp wit and cheeky smile as she told the story about how they met, their 41 years of marriage and her first visit to the Daniher family home to meet his parents and 10 siblings.
She became emotional as she spoke about Daniher becoming a father to their four children.
“It gave him a new perspective on life. He adored being a dad and it gave his life its greatest meaning,” she said.
Jacinta Allan paid tribute to Neale Daniher’s wife Jan (pictured), who supported him throughout his illness. (Supplied)
She said Daniher’s MND diagnosis was devastating and hard to believe but spoke of his determination to fight the disease.
“We rode the bumps and the drops and sharp curves, never knowing what was to come next.
“It wasn’t easy, it was incredibly different but we faced each challenge together and we never gave up.
“I love you darling,” she said as she exited the stage.
Neale Daniher died at his Melbourne home surrounded by family, two weeks ago. (Supplied)
Children vow to ‘play on’
Lauren Daniher described her father as a perfectionist before telling stories from her childhood including their fishing trip which saw the rods, bait and his mobile phone tumble off the Fremantle pier within five minutes of their arrival.
“Dad was stubborn, immovable, impatient, traits that could try you at times but they were also the very qualities that meant when he committed to something, he gave it absolutely everything,” she said.
She said becoming a grandfather was one of the roles Daniher treasured most.
“I will miss walking through the front door and seeing you smile from your chair. I’ll miss the look of annoyance when I misunderstood what you were trying to communicate — and if you were wondering what that look is, just google a picture of Dad from his coaching days.
“We will play on for you, Dad.”
Luke Daniher after delivering a tribute to his father at Neale Daniher’s state funeral. (Supplied)
Luke Daniher said his father taught his children that life was not a matter of if things will get tough, but when and how often.
“The question wasn’t why me, the question was where is the opportunity, and trust me, Dad found opportunities everywhere,” he said.
“Many of you know Dad as the footballer, the coach, the campaigner. I knew him as a man with a sweet tooth who occasionally hid his choc mint biscuits from us four kids.”
The FightMND charity has raised tens of thousands of dollars for motor neurone disease research. (Supplied)
Bec Daniher said her father tested her, supported her, guided her and showed her constant love.
She described MND as “setting off a grenade” that changed the foundations of her family but also brought them closer together.
She said her father was a giant in her life, and said she learnt so much from working side-by-side with him at his charity, FightMND.
“He didn’t hand out praise easily but when you got that quiet nod of approval, it meant everything,” she said.
Ben Daniher was the last of the children to speak, and said he liked to think he and his father were kindred spirits.
He spoke of his mother’s strength before telling the gathering how he was 21 when his world was shattered by his father’s diagnosis.
“I’ve been preparing for this time for over a third of my life but I still don’t think I’m ready to face it,” he said.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do without him here.”
Neale Daniher has been remembered as a father and grandfather as well as a sporting identity and MND campaigner. (Supplied)
Daniher played 82 games for Essendon in the AFL/VFL from 1979 to 1990 and later coached Melbourne for more than 220 games from 1998 to 2007, including guiding the Demons to the grand final in 2000.
FightMND’s signature annual event, the Big Freeze, is now in its 12th year, has raised more than $150 million through the sale of beanies and by plunging a long list of celebrities into an icy pool at the MCG.
This year’s fundraiser was held on Monday, with FightMND saying it was a record-breaker.
Daniher’s efforts to raise funds and draw attention to MND saw him named Victorian of the Year in 2019 and Australian of the Year in 2025.
A tribute to Neale Daniher outside the MCG. (Supplied)