3AW radio host Tom Elliott has rejected calls for a Neale Daniher statue outside the MCG, arguing the revered figure does qualify as an “elite” athlete.
Amid mounting calls to celebrate Daniher’s legacy in bronze outside the ’G, the 3AW mornings host weighed into the debate live on air on Wednesday morning, saying statues should be reserved for “the absolute best of the best”
“There is a proposal to erect a statue of the late Neale Daniher at the MCG, I think this one might not end as a lot of people would like it,” he said.
Referencing notable icons such as Leigh Matthews, Betty Cuthbert, Don Bradman and Kevin Bartlett, who was the most recent figure to be immortalised outside the G in 2017, Elliott said every athlete with a statue could be considered “the best of their generation”.
“All of the 16 odd statues we currently have are of people who first and foremost achieved sporting greatness on the G – one of the best footballers of their generation, the best cricketers, and the best athletes.”
“The thing about Neale Daniher was that he did not achieve the sporting greatness required.
“That’s not to denigrate him in any way, just playing in the VFL back in the day or the AFL today already means you’re one of the best footballers going around.
“But the statues are not for players who are OK or pretty good, they’re for the absolute best of the best.
“This is off the MCG website — the statues reinforce the association between the elite sportsmen and sportswomen who have competed here in the stadium the rejoiced in their performance … the word elite is important.
“Should we change the rules about statues around the MCG and include Neale Daniher, less for his own playing and coaching career and more for his work with FightMND?”.
Elliott’s comments come as a rollcall of AFL greats and footballers who played under Daniher call for a statue as an enduring legacy to the Aussie trailblazer.
Although the path between Birrarung Marr and the MCG has already been named Daniher’s Way in honour of his fundraising efforts, proposals are mounting for the beloved figure to be immortalised in bronze.
MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said: “Neale Daniher was such a remarkable person and we appreciate that people want to continue to honour him – a sentiment we share as ground manager of the MCG.
“While statues surrounding the MCG are approved based on an athlete’s display of sporting excellence specific to the stadium, we recognise Neale’s significant impact in other ways.’’