Neale Daniher’s daughter has revealed her final conversation with her late father was about the speech he would deliver Melbourne and Collingwood players before this year’s Big Freeze game.
On the day it was announced NRL star Jai Arrow, who was recently retired after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, will toss the coin in Monday’s special King’s Birthday clash, the Magpies and Demons united to remember Daniher’s extraordinary contribution as the figurehead of the battle against MND.
Jan Daniher (right) and Bec Daniher addressed Melbourne and Collingwood players before this year’s Big Freeze game honouring the late Neale Daniher and his fight against MND.Justin McManus
A crowd of upwards of 90,000 – many of whom will be wearing blue beanies – is expected to honour Daniher, who died last month, at the match dubbed Big Freeze 12 – the fundraiser which raises awareness and funds for MND research programs.
Daniher’s widow Jan said the widespread and public support Neale received since his diagnosis for MND in 2013 will have a “profound and lasting impact” on the fight against the debilitating condition.