Neale Daniher, the 2025 Australian of the Year who became the face of Australia’s battle against motor neurone disease (MND), has died aged 65.

The former VFL footballer and coach died on Monday, his family revealed:

“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 (MND) with everything he had.”

As a player he was considered the most gifted of the famous Daniher brothers (along with Terry, Anthony and Chris) who played a combined 752 AFL/VFL games.

This record of most games played by brothers stood for more than 20 years until being broken by the Selwood brothers (Joel, Adam, Scott, Troy) in 2021.

He was the league’s best first year player in 1979, won the Essendon best and fairest in 1981 and was named the club’s youngest ever captain in 1982 at just 21 years of age.

Unfortunately, injuries........

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