NEALE Daniher had everything taken from him, except his courage and humanity.

The man who became the symbol of the fight against MND has died aged 65.

Daniher's family released a statement saying the former AFL player and coach died on Monday at home.

It is a fortnight until the annual Collingwood-Melbourne King's Birthday match at the MCG, which has become a major fundraiser for MND research through the Big Freeze pre-game promotion.

Daniher was Australian Of The Year in 2025 and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the tributes.

"With the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for the great Australian," Albanese said in parliament.

The PM noted that the average life expectancy for motor neurone disease was 27 months when Daniher was diagnosed, but he fought for 13 years.

"Neale fought what he called The Beast with the courage, optimism, and passion that brought hope and inspiration into the lives of everyone affected by MND," he added.

"I think it is safe to say that there has never been an (Australian of the Year) award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian."

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has confirmed a state memorial service for Daniher.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon and Melbourne, the club Daniher led to the 2000 Grand Final as coach, also hailed him as a selfless and extraordinary man who inspired all Australians.

Essendon, where Daniher played 82 games, remembered him as a "true icon" of the club.

He was diagnosed in 2013 with MND, which is incurable and fatal. It eventually confined Daniher to a wheelchair and he also lost his speech.

Daniher devoted the rest of his life to raising money for medical research and advocated for other people suffering from the disease. He helped start the Fight MND charity and was its figurehead.

Once Daniher could not talk, he used technology to continue communicating through a screen. His second book, detailing his attitude to life and what had happened to him, was released last year.

"We're heartbroken to share that our much-loved husband, Dad and Poppy, Neale Daniher, passed away at home, surrounded by his family," the Danihers said in their statement.

"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."

The statement added that long before the illness, Daniher had been the heart of his family.

He was one of 11 children raised by Jim and Edna Daniher on a farm at Ungarie, New South Wales.

They formed one of the greatest dynasties in Australian sporting history. Neale, along with Terry, Anthony and Chris, made history in September 1990 when they played in the same Essendon team.

His career started brilliantly but was never the same after Daniher suffered a knee injury in round 21, 1981 against South Melbourne in the 66th game of his career. He was named Essendon captain for the 1982 season, aged just 21, but persistent injury troubles meant he never got to lead the Bombers on the field, cruelly missing the 1984 and '85 premierships. 

Daniher played just 16 more games in nine seasons after his 1981 injury, retiring at the end of the 1990 campaign after 82 games at the top level.

He was an assistant coach at Essendon and Fremantle before taking the top job at the Demons at the start of the 1998 season, and guided them to a preliminary final in his first season after the club had finished last the previous year. 

He led the club to 108 wins from 223 games, including a dream run to the Grand Final in 2000, before he resigned partway through the 2007 season.

He was football manager at West Coast when his time in AFL ended because of the MND diagnosis.

"Across every part of his life, Neale left his mark," his family said, adding he was a natural leader.

"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."

Daniher's family also thanked the community that supported them during his illness.

"Neale's fight was never his alone. It became something bigger - something shared - and it touched the lives of many," they said.

"His wish was simple but powerful - to help create a world where no one has to face this disease. But beyond that he wanted to leave a legacy that says this - 'no matter the odds, no matter the diagnosis, we all have the power to fight, to smile, and to do.

"Because the mark of a person isn’t what they say, 'it’s what they do'.

"We will forever remember him for the lasting impact that he has made on us all. He has inspired, he has loved, he has lived and it would only be fitting to finish with his words - Play On."

AFL STATEMENT Vale Neale Daniher

Statement from the Daniher family

We’re heartbroken to share that our much-loved husband, Dad and Poppy, Neale Daniher, passed away at home, surrounded by his family.

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.

Long before MND, Neale had always been the heart of our family.

Growing up as one of eleven children, he brought light and laughter wherever he went.

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.

We want to thank the incredible community who stood beside Neale and our family throughout this journey.

Your support, kindness, and unwavering belief meant more than we could ever put into words. Neale drew great strength from knowing he was never alone, and neither were we.

We are so grateful to the incredible carers, nurses, doctors, researchers, and specialists who supported Neale and our family with such dedication and compassion. Thank you.

Neale’s fight was never his alone. It became something bigger - something shared - and it touched the lives of many.

His wish was simple but powerful - to help create a world where no one has to face this disease. But beyond that he wanted to leave a legacy that says this “No matter the odds, no matter the diagnosis, we all have the power to fight, to smile, and to do.

Because the mark of a person isn’t what they say, "it’s what they do”.

We will forever remember him for the lasting impact that he has made on us all. He has inspired, he has loved, he has lived and it would only be fitting to finish with his words - Play On.