00:00Decorated AFL personality and former player Neil Danaher has died at the age of 65 after a long battle with
00:07motor neurone disease.
00:08Danaher's 12-season career saw him play 82 games for Essendon before he left the field to carve out a
00:15place on the sidelines as a coach.
00:17His career with the Demons saw him coach the team to the final in 2000.
00:21In 2013, he was diagnosed with MND and went on to co-found the Fight MND charity.
00:27Over the years, the charity raised and invested $115 million into medical research, with events including the annual Big Freeze.
00:37Danaher was awarded the Australian of the Year in 2025.
00:41Tributes for the late, great AFL star flooded social media after news of his passing in May 2026, with even
00:48the Prime Minister offering his heartfelt condolences.
00:51With the passing of Neil Danaher, we all grieve for a great Australian.
00:58On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Danaher family.
01:05His wife Jan, children Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke, many grandchildren and wider family.
01:13They did so much to support the man that they loved so deeply.
01:19A state funeral will be held in Victoria to further honour the sporting legend.
01:24The thoughts and love of all Victorians will be going to the Danaher family as we hold them in our
01:31hearts today
01:31and also reflect on the incredible contribution Neil has made to the life of our state.
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