Fight MND founder Neale Daniher dies after inspirational battle with the disease

AFL icon and inspirational motor neurone disease fighter Neale Daniher has died, aged 65, surrounded by his loving family.

Daniher battled MND for 13 years, raising over $100 millions in the battle he dubbed “Beat The Beast”.

It comes just weeks before his annual Fight MND match at the MCG, which will now be the first played in his absence.

‘Heart of our family’

The Daniher family released a statement on Monday afternoon, paying tribute to the man they called “the heart of our 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,” it read.

“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.”

The Daniher family called him “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,” they continued.

The 2025 Australian of the Year Awards have been revealed. Former AFL player Neale Daniher has been named Australian of the Year. Mr Daniher is the co-founder of the charity FightMND, which raises awareness and funds for motor neurone disease.

“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.”

Daniher left a wish for all MND fighters across the world.

“Neale’s fight was never his alone. It became something bigger – something shared – and it touched the lives of many,” the Daniher family statement 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 chief executive Andrew Dillon said Daniher’s passing was a “devastating loss”.

“Neale was a brilliant player in his time on the field with Essendon and when injuries cut short his playing career, he was passionate and outstanding coach that guided Melbourne to six finals series, including the 2000 Grand Final,” Dillon said.

“But his contribution to wider Australian life was simply incredible in the way he put himself at the forefront, despite the challenge of his own MND diagnosis, to raise awareness of the disease, champion fundraising efforts and search for a cure that he knew would likely not help him, but may help many thousands of other Australians in the future.

“I had the privilege of being on the Fight MND Board with Neale and the Big Freeze match, which he founded, has raised millions of dollars and Neale continued to work and push himself to motivate others to do more, even when his own illness affected his mobility and speech and he had more than earned the right to rest.

“As a past Australian of the Year in 2025, his values for how he lived his life, for the countless occasions he stepped forward to speak for those did not have voice, and acted for those who had no-one to stand up for them, will define how we will remember as one of the very greatest that we had the privilege to call a ‘football person’.

“We send our heartfelt condolences and love to his wife Jan, children Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke and their partners, and the wider Daniher family, for a life of leadership and service that has given so much to football.”

Melbourne Football Club President Steven Smith said: “It is impossible to encapsulate in words the impact of Neale Daniher. His courage transcended the football field, and his determination inspired an entire country.

“Neale was not driven by personal motivation, he was driven by helping others, right until the very end.

“He was a true leader and the definition of what it means to be selfless.

“Neale was a man of action not words and he embodied the saying, that he himself made famous, “the mark of a person is not what you say, but what you do”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people would grieve for a “great Australian”.

He said: “The devastating impacts of MND stole so much from Neale, but he held onto everything that people loved and admired about him: his selflessness, his bravery, his humour, his ability to look on the bright side and his fierce determination to make a difference for others.

“It was a profound honour to present Neale the Australian of the Year Award in 2025. I think it is safe to say that there has never been an award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian on that night.

“Richly deserved recognition that Neale embraced, not as an accolade but as a platform, a way to continue his advocacy for a cure. Neale Daniher’s remarkable legacy lives all around us.”

His death comes just days after NRL and Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow revealed he too had been diagnosed with MND at the age of just 30. He retired from playing immediately.