The Brisbane Lions Football Club mourns the passing of Neale Daniher, following his lengthy battle with MND.

Brisbane has a long-standing connection with Neale and the Daniher family through Coach Chris Fagan and via Daniher’s nephew Joe, a Premiership Lion in 2024.

For several years now, Fagan would sell Fight MND beanies around the club in support of the Big Freeze with the club joining the fight against MND through Gabba match day fundraising.

In a past interview with Lions Media, Chris paid tribute to Neale’s strength in the face of adversity.  

“I’m grateful to Neale forever – one, for giving me a job in the AFL at Melbourne footy club (in 1998) when my background in Tassie didn’t suggest I’d necessarily get one in coaching,” Fagan said.

“Knowing him and having been on the journey with him for the past 20-odd years has been the greatest benefit to me just learning from a top-class person.

“When I run into little hurdles, I often think how would Neale handle this.

“It often changes the way I deal with things and helps me to feel stronger on days when I don’t feel so strong.”

To his wife Jan, children Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke and the entire Daniher family, our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Vale Neale Daniher