Neale Daniher’s grandchildren delivered heartbreaking tributes to their beloved “Poppy” at the AFL great’s state memorial service, bringing many mourners at the MCG to tears.
Daniher died on May 25 at the age of 65 after a 13-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND), which he called “The Beast”.
Thousands of mourners wearing blue Big Freeze beanies and football scarves packed the MCG on Wednesday to farewell the former Essendon Football Club player and Melbourne Football Club coach.
Speaking alongside his father Luke, grandson Cooper shared memories of the bond he had with his grandfather despite the devastating effects of the disease.
“When I was born, pops couldn’t hold me with his arms. He still found a way to rock me with his legs. Even when we couldn’t talk, he used his machine to chat and called me and my brother Ollie ‘cheeky monkeys’.
“My pops was strong, brave and courageous and I hope I can be like him when I grow up. I miss you Poppy, play on.”
Granddaughter Rosie, standing beside her mother Lauren, delivered an emotional tribute of her own.
“I love Poppy very much, I wish he came back,” she said.
“I love everywhere he took me when I was born. He would rock me to sleep on his legs. I love reading to pop and I can still read to him.
“I wish he could come back to the Big Freeze. Poppy, I see you as a star in the sky. I hope you got to see me push the sliders down.
“I love you, Pop. Goodbye.”
Earlier in the service, Daniher’s wife Jan reflected on their life together and the challenges they faced during his long battle with MND, with a reference to a metaphor in the film Parenthood.
“Grandma chose the rollercoaster and so did Neale,” she said.
“The rollercoaster (is) a metaphor for life – unpredictable, full of highs and lows, unexpected turns and sudden challenges.”
“We rode the bumps and the drops and the sharp curves, never knowing what was to come next. There were moments of joy and sadness, fear and love, strength and determination,” she continued.
“It wasn’t easy, it was incredibly difficult, but we faced each challenge together and never gave up.”
She said her husband took pride in being a dad.
“The most important role of all was becoming a father to our four children,” she said.
“It gave him a new perspective on life, he adored being a dad, and it gave his life its greatest meaning.”
Jan said among many of his good traits, Daniher would be remembered for “his sharp wit, his cheeky smile, his love of family and friends, and his wonderful love of laughter”.
“This is how we will remember Neale. I love you, darling.”
Daughter Lauren held back tears as she delivered her speech, saying her father never stopped fighting after his diagnosis.
“Dad always said that when life throws you a challenge, you have two options: You can flourish, or you can fold,” she said.
“And didn’t you flourish?”
“You could have folded, but you never did. And I have endless admiration for that determination.”
While many Australians knew Daniher as a football legend and MND advocate, Lauren said she would miss the small moments at home the most.
“I’ll miss walking through the front door and seeing you smile from your chair,” she said.
“We will play on for you, Dad. I love you.”
His brother, Anthony Daniher remembered him as simply family, their “beautiful brother”.
“The one who laughed with us, he teased us, gave us advice, whether we asked for it or not, and always stood beside us,” he said.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan described Daniher as one of the most important people in his life.
“I’ve got three heroes in my life: my dad, my mum, and Neale,” he said.
“Neale made me feel valued, he gave me confidence, (and) he believed in me. I’m so thankful to him for that.“I’ve been so fortunate to be a mate of his. Thank you to Neale for making the world a better place.”
Master of ceremonies Hamish McLachlan opened the service by paying tribute to a man he said had changed the nation.
“We gather not in grief alone but in gratitude for a man who turned his hardest days into a gift for the rest of us,” he said.
Daniher was diagnosed with MND in 2013 and went on to co-found FightMND, helping raise more than $141 million for research, support services and efforts to find a cure.
Images: Sky News
