It’s no wonder Neale Daniher’s state funeral was such an extraordinary celebration of the iconic Australian’s life — he planned it himself.
7NEWS Melbourne’s Peter Mitchell has revealed that Daniher’s fingerprints were all over the service in his honour at the MCG on Wednesday afternoon, having prepared it all “to the finest detail”.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Neale Daniher farewelled at MCG state funeral
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Speaking just minutes after the conclusion of the moving service, Mitchell said it was Seven’s former sport newsreader Tim Watson — who played alongside Daniher at Essendon — who alerted him to Neale’s construction of his own funeral.
“Tim Watson gave us a little gem when he said he was talking to Neale’s brother, Terry, last night about today’s service, and said that Terry said, ‘Don’t worry, Neale planned it all out himself, to the finest detail’,” Mitchell said.
“So, what we saw today, that’s why it was so authentic — it had been planned to the smallest detail by Neale himself.
“And wasn’t that a fitting farewell.”
Terry Daniher (back centre) helped to carry his brother’s coffin out of the MCG. Credit: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Daniher, who became the symbol of the fight against the motor neuron disease, died on May 25 aged 65 after a 13-year, public battle with what he called The Beast.
On Wednesday, more than 1000 people flocked to the same hallowed ground where Daniher played for Essendon and later coached Melbourne.
Wife Jan Daniher delivered the first eulogy, remembering her beloved husband not for his diagnosis but his character, integrity, humility, honesty, strength, resilience and sharp wit.
Jan Daniher delivered a moving eulogy at the service. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
When The Beast was delivering its final blows, daughter Loz said all he wanted to do was to get up.
“Even when his body was failing, his mind was still fighting on right to the very end,” she said.
Luke Daniher remembered a football saying his dad often cited, “when it’s your turn to go, you go”.
“When MND came calling, dad didn’t ask why,” he said.
“He didn’t step back, he stepped forward, because if he expected others to fight, he knew he had to fight too.”
Play Video
Hamish McLachlan honours the late Neale Daniher, an Australian whose personal struggles were transformed into a lasting contribution to the nation.
Hamish McLachlan honours the late Neale Daniher, an Australian whose personal struggles were transformed into a lasting contribution to the nation.
Brutally honest, Daniher was remembered for the feedback he gave Luke in his first game back in local football after the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Having gained weight, he told his father it didn’t matter as he was an inside-midfielder and being bigger worked fine for Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
“I could see him grinning as he typed out his response. When the machine finally spouted out, he said, ‘Well, you’re not Crippa and Crippa’s not fat’,” Luke said.
Daniher’s brother Anthony gave a tribute, as did Brisbane’s two-time premiership coach, Chris Fagan, who was given his first AFL coaching job by Daniher at Melbourne.
David Neitz and Paul Hopgood, who played for Daniher during his near decade-long tenure as Melbourne’s senior coach, also spoke.
Daniher was diagnosed with the disease in 2013. The average life expectancy is 27 months, but he survived for 13 years.
FightMND, the charity he co-founded, has committed more than $141 million to medical research for treatments and to ultimately find a cure.
Play Video
Hamish McLachlan delivers a heartfelt tribute at Neale Daniher’s state memorial.
Hamish McLachlan delivers a heartfelt tribute at Neale Daniher’s state memorial.
In 2025, Daniher was named Australian of the Year for his contributions in leading the fight against the disease, inspiring millions of Australians with hope.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the invincible optimism of a hero who confronted adversity most people could not imagine at odds that could not be beaten.
“When he lost his voice, his words became more powerful,” the PM said.
“When he could no longer walk, more and more Australians put on their beanies and marched at his side.”
A record 88,000-strong crowd packed the MCG on Monday with their distinctive FightMND blue beanies for the annual Big Freeze match, while the sale of about 100,000 digital beanies raised $2.5 million.
Premier Jacinta Allan honoured Daniher as a man of courage, purpose and love, who never hid his condition and did not pretend it was anything other than brutal.
“Because of him, there is now a stream of light where there was none before,” she said.
Daniher is survived by his wife, their four children and six grandchildren.
He was one of 11 children raised by Jim and Edna Daniher on a farm at Ungarie, NSW, with the family making history in 1990 when he and his brothers Terry, Anthony and Chris played in the same Essendon team.
With AAP
Play Video
Jan fought back tears remembering her husband and father of their four children.
Jan fought back tears remembering her husband and father of their four children.
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