AFL 2021: Neale Daniher doesn’t let MND stop him from promoting seventh edition of The Big Freeze
MND may have robbed him of his ability to talk but it didn’t stop footy’s most inspirational figure - Neale Daniher - from playing a leading part in promoting the seventh edition of The Big Freeze.
Melbourne
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Neale Daniher’s eyes dance and dart as he conjures his next act of mischief and mayhem.
Eight years on in his battle with MND, those eyes and his cheeky smile do what his mouth cannot.
As footy’s most inspirational figure strode forward to promote the seventh edition of the Big Freeze - back at the MCG after last year’s COVID crisis - this time it was not to the microphone.
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Daniher might be doing everything possible to “play on”, a personal mantra proudly affixed to this year’s version of beanies Taylor Adams on Monday described as an iconic Melbourne fashion accessory.
But “the Beast” means Daniher is finally losing his ability to talk.
The timing for Melbourne could not be more perfect or poignant.
On Saturday night, as images of Daniher were flashed up on the MCG screens, the Demons faithful rejoicing in an 8-0 start to the year hooted and clapped in homage.
Then in a weekend image to match Shai Bolton’s skyscraper mark, 85-year-old Ron Barassi was captured singing the Melbourne theme song in the MCG stands.
As Barassi battles dementia and Daniher a disease that usually takes 27 months from diagnosis to death, the team is finally playing football to reminiscent of the glory days.
The only problem was Daniher, who wasn’t playing by the rules.
Daughter Bec Daniher addressed the media about the Demons with Daniher by her side, thrilled with a performance that “has been a long time coming”.
Then came Daniher whispering in her ear.
“Oh, Dad says we are barracking for the Pies. We want a packed house….” she said of the Round 13 Queens Birthday clash.
Daniher’s life is coming to an end, but he will finish it having squeezed every drop of joy and humour, inspiring the football world at the same time.
As Daniher has said about the disease that will take his life: “It’s not if, it’s when”.
Barassi’s mantra was the legendary: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
And so Daniher has taken up the fundraising fight instead of ticking off his bucket list of items, secure in the knowledge this campaign will go on for footy after his death.
The Big Freeze participants will be revealed at the end of the month, but Monday’s launch saw the $20 beanies on sale in Coles, Coles Express and Bunnings stores to raise money for MND research.
“The beanie is really special to us this year, it’s got, “Play on” on it,” said Bec Daniher, now the campaign director for the Fight MND team.
“It’s dad’s philosophy, his attitude and his fight, so it’s very close to our family.
“I have got to be honest, talking today was really tough. Dad does such an amazing job but MND is such a beast and it’s taking dad’s voice. That is why I am here and I am trying to do the best I can, but we have got an army behind me and we are going to keep fighting until we don’t need to fight any more.
“The Big Freeze is one of my favorite days, to see the march and Blue Army come out, it’s spine tingling and it shows anyone out there who has MND they have an army out there who cares about them and they are trying to make a difference.”
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