AFL news: Melbourne greats Neale Daniher and David Neitz to play leading roles in Demons’ MCG party
Melbourne great Neale Daniher will play a lead role in the club’s premiership celebrations and has declared he’s expecting big things from coach Simon Goodwin.
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Melbourne greats Neale Daniher and David Neitz will play leading roles in Sunday’s long-awaited Demons’ premiership celebration party at the MCG.
It has been revealed that Daniher, who coached the Demons from 1998 until 2007, will present the Jock McHale Medal to premiership coach Simon Goodwin in front of what is expected to be 40,000 delirious Demons fans.
Former skipper Neitz will present star Christian Petracca with the Norm Smith Medal in the post-match ceremony recreation, while the cup presenter will be revealed on the day.
The premiership players will also be re-presented with their medals by young children, much like on grand final day.
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It’ll be the first time the club will be able to properly celebrate breaking its 57-year premiership drought with its Melbourne-based fans.
“I think he (Daniher) was doubting if he would see that, and he’s ecstatic that he has been still alive to see it, so it’s fantastic,” Daniher’s wife, Jan, said.
“It will be an amazing day (on Sunday) just to have all the supporters in the MCG and to have the players and all the people connected with the club in one space celebrating such an amazing victory.”
Goodwin was denied the on-stage opportunity to deliver his message of thanks before accepting the premiership cup with his captain Max Gawn on grand final day.
He’ll get the chance on Sunday, and Daniher said he was expecting a great speech.
“Goody has no excuses because he’s had plenty of time to prepare,” Daniher said through Jan.
“It’s great to celebrate two times.”
The full replay of the club’s historic drought-breaking grand final win will be broadcast on the screens of the MCG before the post-match ceremony recreation.
The premiership cup will also be available on the day for supporters to take photos.
“I think this is going to be a day of joy,” Neitz said.
“It’s a joyous occasion and we’ll all be here in unison and I can’t wait to sing the song at the end of the day.
“It’ll be a great exclamation point on what has been an amazing year
“You want to win one when you’re playing, but as a fan I’m swept up in the emotion as much as any other fan.”
Daniher continues his inspirational crusade to find a cure for motor neurone disease, which he has been fighting since his diagnosis in 2013.
His FightMND organisation has raised close to $50 million in donations to put towards research to find treatments for the disease.
“We hope we don’t have to wait 57 years to find a treatment and a cure, but that’s what we’ll be after now to help people who are going to get MND in the future and who have it now” Daniher said through Jan.
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Originally published as AFL news: Melbourne greats Neale Daniher and David Neitz to play leading roles in Demons’ MCG party
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