Neale Daniher dies at 65 after long Fight MND campaign

sportsMay 25, 202632610

Neale Daniher, a former Essendon player and Melbourne coach, has died aged 65 after a 13-year battle with motor neurone disease. Diagnosed in 2013, Daniher led the FightMND campaign to raise public awareness and research funding across Australia. His high-profile advocacy turned MND into a national research priority and inspired sustained fundraising and greater research focus.

Rohan Connolly

@rohanconnolly65.bsky.social

Neale Daniher was simply a great human. A brilliant and gifted footballer sadly cut down by injury, then an innovative, shrewd & successful AFL coach, then an incredibly courageous, relentless ambassador for research & funding into the scourge of MND. What a leagcy. RIP Neale.

11515d ago

Dr Monique Ryan

@mon4kooyong.bsky.social

It's a terribly sad day for Australia with the passing of Neale Daniher. Neale was a truly remarkable, courageous advocate who dedicated himself to raising awareness and improving treatment of motor neurone disease.

11115d ago

Dr Monique Ryan5

Through his determination and generosity of spirit, he brought national attention to this devastating illness, changing countless lives with his efforts.

6 News Australia

@6newsau.bsky.social

#BREAKING 🚨 Australian rules football legend Neale Daniher AO has died aged 65 Daniher was named Australian of the Year in 2025, having campaigned to find a cure for motor neurone disease since his diagnosis 13 years ago

9215d ago

Reptilescorpio3

RIP, dude put in a legendary amount of efforts towards MND awareness

Boxhead_313

Vale Neale, a giant on and off the field

Sharon H2

Heroic human. Vale, Neale. 🕊️

Jennifer Crawford

@ournewhomecoach.bsky.social

Oh this is sad. Neale Daniher was one of the best people ever. What a legacy. 😢💔💐

5715d ago

annettecoffs.bsky.social5

so sad, what a lovely man he was and what a contribution he made. Vale Neale

arthurnorman2.bsky.social4

RIP to a brave man who brought us along with him in his fight against the beast and in doing so raised awareness and millions of dollars towards researching a cure

Aileen3

RIP. Condolences to his family. I had a very close family member with this disease. 💔

Deaf Doug3

You can’t say this about all footy players, but Neale was a top bloke and a role model to us all.

Jessica D. M. 🇺🇦 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇵🇦 🇬🇱 🪃 🟧3

From the day he was diagnosed he never sought pity, he just wanted to find a cure for others that follow. We lost a great man and Australian today

Ian Graves

@xskinn.bsky.social

In very sad news Neale Daniher has died at the age of 65 from MND. Ian

3815d ago

Ally🍀on🍀Bluesky 🇦🇺8

So very sad . He was such a champion. This disease is so very cruel. It doesn't discriminate with age. I'm thinking about poor Jai arrow and the fight that he has to go through now I just hope that he gets to live as long if not longer the neale and that in this time some sort of cure is discovered.

Rick Goco5

He will be remembered by so many people who did not follow him prior to getting MND, he left a big mark for so many, an example too everyone. Vale

terry1956.bsky.social3

Very sad news, the definition of a champion in all dictionaries should have a photo of Neale next to it

Rob2

Bloody sad but he put up an extraordinary fight, sadly i lost my very good mate Mark to the beast less than 2 yrs after diagnosis

Blue Zee2

The most excellent Aussie ever

Sarah A Styles2

He was a good egg that one Ian.

Luke Foley

@lukefoley.me

Sad news about Neale Daniher, he fought to the bitter end and raised so much public awareness about motor neurone diseases. Rest in peace legend.

2115d ago

Ian Waters

@ianwaters78.bsky.social

Sadly Neale Daniher has finally lost his brave fight against MND. I suppose this was expected at some stage but this is a terrible loss. Condolences to his many friends, supporters family & the AFL.

1515d ago

Fiona Parker

@fionaparker1.bsky.social

Neale Daniher has died. What a legacy he leaves. 7news.com.au/sport/afl/au...

1115d ago

The DILETTANTE

@demwar.bsky.social

Absolute inspiration. Football royalty. Community Icon. RIP Great Man www.afl.com.au/news/1528017

1615d ago

Smokie Dawson

@smokiedawson.bsky.social

Vale Neale Daniher Brave and selfless Rest in peace #FightMND

715d ago

Zero Hanger

@zerohanger.bsky.social

"We all grieve for a great Australian." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has lent his voice to the many commemorating the extraordinary life and impact of Neale Daniher. PM'S STATEMENT >>> zerohanger.com/rolok #AFL

1115d ago

DebLookingForANewHome

@heymum3.bsky.social

Very sad to hear of the passing of Neale Daniher.

815d ago

MsDifficultWomanPraxis

@mspraxis.bsky.social

Even I know who Neale Daniher was. Exceptional man and such a force for good against such a terrible disease. Vale, Sir.

915d ago

Viet P

@vietp86.bsky.social

Neale taught us all how to find opportunity in the face of immense challenge, and how to live with ultimate purpose. When a cure for MND is finally found, his name will be forever etched into that victory. Vale, Neale Daniher. A true Australian hero. 👑💙 #AFL #FightMND #BigFreeze12

615d ago

turnleft2024

@turnleft8.bsky.social

i dont follow AFL, i dont care about sport but thats sad news coming out of Melbourne this afternoon the good die too young thank you Neale Daniher for all you did

815d ago

3 sources

theage.com.auNeale Daniher dies, aged 65, after long fight with MND smh.com.au‘We’re heartbroken’: Neale Daniher dies, aged 65, after long fight with MND abc.net.auBreaking: Neale Daniher, former AFL player and motor neurone disease campaigner, dies

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Neale Daniher dies at 65 after long Fight MND campaign

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