Remembering Neale Daniher: Emotions spill over as family says goodbye to Aussie icon
AFL great and motor neurone disease crusader Neale Daniher has been farewelled at a state funeral in front of legions of fans he inspired over his decade-long battle.
Recap all the incredible stories told by his friends and family below, and tune into Seven and 7plus for more coverage.
A final guard of honour for Neale
Thousands of people have lined the Daniher’s Way to form a guard of honour as the hearse slowly drove away from the MCG.
Daniher’s favourite song Mr Brightside by The Killers was blasting in the background, as people stood and applaud.
“An incredible scene at the MCG here,” Peter Mitchell said.
Bec Maddern: “That was just magnificent.”
Neale is taken away by pallbearers
The memorial service has concluded with Neale taken away by pallbearers; his children Loz, Luke and Ben, his brothers Terry and Chris, and his son-in-law Drew Howell.
Hamish McLachlan then delivered a touching final message.
“Neale was the best of humans, teacher to us all,” he said.
“A man who showed us what is possible, how to live a life full of purpose and to live, importantly, without complaint.
“He turned personal adversity into national inspiration. He showed us the attitude we choose each day is entirely up to us. I think it’s safe to say, he changed the way many of us look at the world and the cards we have been dealt.
“Some are measured by what they won on the field, Neale will always be remembered for what he refused to lose off it: His hope, his humour, his heart.
“He never asked us to feel sorry for him, he just asked us to fight alongside him.
“And a country picked up a beanie and answered collectively.
“We are a better community because of you. Neale you lost your voice and you are gone but your message remains very loud. We honour you today with our grief and we will continue to honour you with our doing.
“The world feels less without you, but much better because you are here.”
Chris Fagan forever grateful to Neale
The Brisbane coach spoke about how Neale Daniher gave him first job in football.
“Neale gave me a job 29 years ago, god only knows why he gave me that job but I’m so greatful that he did. We’ve remained close friends ever since,” Fagan said.
“He has no doubt had a huge influence on my life and I have a lot to thank him for.”
Fagan recounted Neale’s “blunt” and “honest” style when he joined Melbourne as an assistant under Daniher.
“I was a bit shy and didn’t have much to say in meetings, and one day he pulled me aside and said ‘listen here, Fages, I didn’t bring you hear to just shift the cones around’,” he said.
“That was sort of code for, ‘I think you’ve got a bit more to offer’.
“It was good feedback.”
Fagan said he knew how to position himself out of the firing line when Daniher would unleash a spray during a half-time break.
He also revealed a story about how “nervous” he was in the coaching box when Daniher wanted to move David Neitz to the backline and Fagan said that was a bad idea.
Daniher ultimately went with Fagan and Melbourne won the match, much to the relief of Fagan.
Fagan also spoke about how he never wanted to play tennis with Daniher. It was OK playing against him, even if he lost, but when he played with Neale in doubles, he always copped a spray if he missed a shot.
The two-time premiership coach credits Daniher for helping becoming a senior coach.
“Neale made me feel valued, he gave me confidence, he believed in me, he helped me overcome my imposter syndrome of being an AFL coach without playing at the level. He just did those sorts of things for me over and over again,” Fagan said.
Close friend gives Neale a ‘roasting’
Long-time friend Cam Taylor has taken the stage.
“When Jan asked me to speak, the last thing she said, ‘make sure you give Neale a bit of a roast’,” he began.
He recounted a story about his son and the Daniher’s son becoming friends.
“I went around to pick up Ben and knocked on the door, and Neale answered, ‘Who are you?’ I’m Cam Taylor, Ben’s dad.
“Ben came out and I attempted some light banter, ‘Eagles going well?’ He looked at me and without saying anything, ‘take your son and nick off’.
“Good to meet you, Neale, might see you around.”
He said his first impressions weren’t that great, but that initial meeting laid the foundations to a great and longlasting friendship between the two families.
“Particular Jan and the kids as they were really nice people,” Cam added with a laugh.
Former Demons Neitz and Hopgood speak
David Neitz and Paul Hopgood both played under Neale Daniher at Melbourne.
Hopgood paid tribute to a coach that took the team from last place in 1997 to a prelim in 1998 and then grand final in 2000.
“He was resilient, tough, ruthless and tactical. He was a hard arse,” Hopgood said with a laugh.
Neitz said that “empathy wasn’t a strong point as a coach”.
He recounted a story about Brad Green speaking at a function about empathy, and Neale leaning over to tell Neitz, “Empathy!? He must be speaking about Fages”
“He then let out a very boisterous laugh, that he reserved for his own jokes.”
The pair shared a series of funny stories from his coaching career, while also praising the icon’s incredible fight against MND.
Neale the brother
Plenty has been said about Neale as a father and grandfather, a coach and an MND advocate.
His brother Anthony remembered their childhood on the farm and a cheeky Neale playing his way off to Assumption College and later Essendon.
“In recent days we’ve heard Neale described as a hero, a legend, courageous and brave. He was all of those things,” he said.
“But to us he was simply our brother, a beautiful brother, a little boy, a determined look on his face, flexing on his beach, with a whole life in front of him.
“He laughed with us, teased us, gave us advice whether we asked for it or not, and always stood beside us.
“We will never forget the sound of his big, unmistakable laugh, his quick wit and that mischievous spark so uniquely Neale.”
