Neale Daniher
#355,672 Most Popular
About
Former Australian Rules football player, coach, and philanthropist. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013. He co-founded the FightMND charity in 2014, which raised and invested over $AUD130 million into research. He was named the 2025 Australian of the Year for his advocacy.
Before fame
He began playing senior-level Australian Rules football in 1978, for the Ungarie team in the Northern Riverina Football League.
Trivia
He played 82 games for Essendon Football Club. He was the league's youngest captain at age 21. He coached the Melbourne Football Club for 223 matches, including the 2000 AFL Grand Final.
Family life
He and his wife Jan had four children named Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke.
Associated with
After his death, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described him as "a great Australian" and an unmatched symbol of "humility, compassion, and determination."
