A state funeral service has begun for AFL legend Neale Daniher.
The former footballer, coach, Australian and Victorian of the Year, and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner died at his home in Melbourne on May 25 at the age of 65.
His family accepted the Victorian government’s offer of a state funeral which is now underway at the MCG.
Large lines formed outside the MCG ahead of Neale Daniher’s state funeral. (Supplied)
Today’s funeral was open to the public through a ticket allocation.
A large crowd of mourners have gathered at the stadium to pay their respects to Daniher.
Among them are Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, opposition leaders Angus Taylor and Jess Wilson, and Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner.
Former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett, Steve Bracks, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine are also in attendance.
Sports broadcaster Hamish McLachlan is the master of ceremonies for the funeral.
He urged the crowd not to gather in grief alone, but in gratitude for Daniher’s efforts for MND awareness.
“What a privilege to have lived at a time when we can learn from a man we celebrate, honour and remember today,” he told the crowd.
“He understood something many of us learn when it’s all too late — that a life’s worth isn’t in its length but what you do with the time that you’re given.”
The funeral for Neale Daniher is being held under grey skies at the MCG. (Supplied)
Mr Albanese told those gathered that Daniher’s determination and humour and optimism during his fight against MND was inspiring.
“In footy’s tribal world of fierce loyalties there are very few people who have had this whole stadium barracking for them — Neale Daniher was one,” Mr Albanese said.
“In a place that has known its fair share of champions and legends, we come together today to remember someone who was so much more than that.
“Neale Daniher was a hero.“
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Neale Daniher was an inspiration for all Australians. (ABC News)
Ms Allan said Daniher lived up to his nickname of “The Reverend”.
“When Neale spoke, people felt it,” she said.
“He brought them in, not around anger or grievance but around purpose, around hope, around the belief that if enough people cared, something could change.”
She acknowledged Daniher’s approach to his illness and the support he received from his wife, Jan.
“[Neale] did not choose MND, but he did choose how he would meet it — with courage, with purpose, with love, by turning his own suffering into something that could help others.
Premier Jacinta Allan vowed the state of Victoria would continue Neale Daniher’s fight against MND. (Supplied)
Daniher played 82 games for Essendon in the AFL/VFL from 1979 to 1990 and later coached Melbourne for more than 220 games from 1998 to 2007, including guiding the Demons to the grand final in 2000.
After being diagnosed with MND in 2013, he threw himself into raising awareness of the disease and fundraising for research, establishing the FightMND charity.
Its signature annual event, the Big Freeze, is now in its 12th year, has raised tens of millions of dollars through the sale of beanies and by plunging a long list of celebrities into an icy pool at the MCG.
Neale Daniher died at his Melbourne home surrounded by family, two weeks ago. (Supplied)
This year’s fundraiser was held on Monday, with FightMND saying it was a record-breaker.
The Daniher family were also at the MCG for that event.
Ahead of the state funeral, they asked that donations be made to the charity in lieu of flowers.
Overall, to date, FightMND has contributed $141 million to medical research and treatment.
Daniher’s efforts to raise funds and draw attention to MND saw him named Victorian of the Year in 2019 and Australian of the Year in 2025.
A tribute to Neale Daniher outside the MCG. (Supplied)
