My Dad turned off the radio too while we were gardening and well behind so I went inside crying. It was a while later he got me the miraculous Iceman news. One of his Dad jokes was “who was one of the greatest captains never to play a game as captain?” The answer would alternate between Captain Cook or Neale Daniher.
Neale’s leadership always had plenty of challenges. Injury at EFC, the Gutnick era at MFC, neurone destruction thereafter. Each challenge different, each one progressively harder, and he kept winning. No cross he wouldn’t carry.
The news nobody wanted to hear. Blessed to have watched him playing at his imperious best. A man who never let “bad luck” get in the way. Courage under fire, dignified til the end. A true legend where for once the word actually applies.
We had a family day out in the country, a picnic and a walk. On the way home we pulled over to the side of the road to listen to the call of this great game. All 6 of us cheering and laughing with Bomber happiness. Thanks Neale, that is one of my great memories. A footballing great but more importantly a very good person, you will be missed but never forgotten.
I’m too young to have remembered his playing days; but my old man (70) has always said Neale would have clearly been the best Essendon player he ever saw if it weren’t for his injuries.
The 1st number I ever had on my duffle coat was No.6 for Neale. Was a great player & coach but well beyond that he was a great person who fought this horrible disease with the utmost dignity & determination bringing so much awareness to the fight & hopefully steps towards finding a cure. Vale Neale, may you now rest is peace.
I played in the little league for Essendon that day in 1981 at Princes Park. I played full forward and worse Neale’s number 6. Watching him from the grandstand win us the unwinnable game is a memory I’ll never forget.
Truly a legend. His battles to overcome his body’s desire to bring him down are finally over. Through it all, he carried himself with dignity and always with humour. The Essendon FC and Melbourne FC families, the AFL community and the country in general are lesser places today with his passing. His courage in the face of adversity, and his unrelenting determination to continue fighting no matter what was thrown at him, need to be held up to the light for those that follow to see, feel and be inspired.
Condolences to the Daniher family, today you lost a piece of your soul.
Vale Neil Daniher, may you finally rest in the peace you deserve.
We really did lose a good one today. He has left the most incredible legacy. To be diagnosed with such a beast of disease and then take it on with all he had. What an amazing man. What an amazing fighter. May he rest easy now.
I’m too young to remember that famous game in ‘81, but didn’t he play a key role in farking Carlton again in the ‘93 GF? I remember hearing that he was the one who figured out Carlton’s centre square plan and that was a huge factor in us winning the game.
Obviously the commentary will be on his long fight with MND, but I think it should also be pointed out that he spent almost a decade trying to fight back from the knee injuries that ruined his playing career. He was a fighter. There’s a pretty obvious lesson in his story for the current lot at EFC, let’s hope they heed it.
He spent some time at the Eagles, too, so there should be a good tribute for him before this weekend’s game.
Vale to the inspirational Neale Daniher. You have been a great man in all senses of the term and your fighting heart will live on.
Many condolences and loving thoughts to Neale’s extended family.
