Neale Daniher

Neale Daniher, 65, died on May 25, 2026. Neale Daniher was known publicly as an Australian footballer. Neale Francis Daniher (15 February 1961 – 25 May 2026) was an Australian rules footballer who played with the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was later the coach of the Melbourne Football Club between 1998 and 2007, and also held coaching positions with Essendon, Fremantle and West Coast. His brothers, Terry, Anthony and Chris, also played for Essendon. Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2013 and was a prominent campaigner for medical research concerning the disease. His advocacy resulted in him being named the 2025 Australian of the Year. Public biographical listings identify Daniher as an Australian footballer. This public record remains centered on Daniher's work as an Australian footballer and the documented milestones of that career.