Neale Daniher's family and friends, AFL identities gather at MCG for MND campaigner's state funeral

Neale Daniher has been remembered as a football legend, a devoted father and a "hero" at a state funeral at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

The former footballer, coach, Australian and Victorian of the Year, and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner died at his home in Melbourne on May 25 at the age of 65.

More than 5,000 people attended today's funeral at the MCG.

Among them were Australia's Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, opposition leaders Angus Taylor and Jess Wilson, and Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner.

Former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett, Steve Bracks, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine were also in attendance.

Sports broadcaster Hamish McLachlan was the master of ceremonies for the funeral.

He urged the crowd not to gather in grief alone, but in gratitude for Daniher's efforts for MND awareness.

"What a privilege to have lived at a time when we can learn from a man we celebrate, honour and remember today," he told the crowd.

"He understood something many of us learn when it's all too late — that a life's worth isn't in its length but what you do with the time that you're given."

Mr Albanese told those gathered that Daniher's determination, humour and optimism during his fight against MND was inspiring.

"In footy's tribal world of fierce loyalties there are very few people who have had this whole stadium barracking for them — Neale Daniher was one," Mr Albanese said.

"In a place that has known its fair share of champions and legends, we come together today to remember someone who was so much more than that.

Ms Allan said Daniher lived up to his nickname of "The Reverend".

"When Neale spoke, people felt it," she said.

"He brought them in, not around anger or grievance but around purpose, around hope, around the belief that if enough people cared, something could change."

She acknowledged Daniher's approach to his illness and the support he received from his wife, Jan.

"[Neale] did not choose MND, but he did choose how he would meet it — with courage, with purpose, with love, by turning his own suffering into something that could help others.

Daniher remembered for his love of family

A montage of family photos was played as Jan Daniher rose to speak.

She noted her husband's integrity, strength, sharp wit and cheeky smile as she told the story about how they met, their 41 years of marriage and her first visit to the Daniher family home to meet his parents and 10 siblings.

She became emotional as she spoke about Daniher becoming a father to their four children.

"It gave him a new perspective on life. He adored being a dad and it gave his life its greatest meaning," she said.

She said Daniher's MND diagnosis was devastating and hard to believe but spoke of his determination to fight the disease.

"We rode the bumps and the drops and sharp curves, never knowing what was to come next.

"It wasn't easy, it was incredibly different but we faced each challenge together and we never gave up.

"I love you darling," she said as she exited the stage.

Children vow to 'play on'

Lauren Daniher described her father as a perfectionist before telling stories from her childhood including their first fishing trip which saw the rods, bait and his mobile phone tumble off the Fremantle pier within five minutes of their arrival.

"Dad was stubborn, immovable, impatient, traits that could try you at times but they were also the very qualities that meant when he committed to something, he gave it absolutely everything," she said.

She said becoming a grandfather was one of the roles Daniher treasured most.

"I will miss walking through the front door and seeing you smile from your chair. I'll miss the look of annoyance when I misunderstood what you were trying to communicate — and if you were wondering what that look is, just google a picture of Dad from his coaching days.

Luke Daniher said his father taught his children that life was not a matter of if things will get tough, but when and how often.

"The question wasn't why me, the question was where is the opportunity, and trust me, Dad found opportunities everywhere," he said.

"Many of you know Dad as the footballer, the coach, the campaigner. I knew him as a man with a sweet tooth who occasionally hid his choc mint biscuits from us four kids."

Bec Daniher said her father tested her, supported her, guided her and showed her constant love.

She described MND as "setting off a grenade" that changed the foundations of her family but also brought them closer together.

She said she learnt so much from working side-by-side with her father at his charity, FightMND, which has raised more than $150 million.

"He didn't hand out praise easily but when you got that quiet nod of approval, it meant everything," she said.

Ben Daniher said he liked to think he and his father were kindred spirits.

He spoke of his mother's strength before telling the gathering how he was 21 when his world was shattered by his father's diagnosis.

"I've been preparing for this time for over a third of my life but I still don't think I'm ready to face it," he said.

Two of Daniher's grandchildren, Cooper and Rosie, also spoke.

"When I was born, Pops couldn't rock me with his arms. He still found a way to rock me with his legs," Cooper said.

"My Pops was strong, brave and courageous, and I hope I can be like him when I grow up. I miss you, Poppy. Play on."

Rosie said she loved reading to him, and would continue to do so.

"Poppy, I see you as a star in the sky."

Brother, Anthony Daniher spoke about growing up on the family's sheep and wheat farm.

He said his brother had a knack of "disappearing at the right time" when there were jobs to be done.

"Dad would yell out, 'Can you bring me over the wrench Neale,' and Neale would turn up with two spanners. Neale would look at me with a wry smile — he knew what he was doing."

Daniher remembered for his relentless pursuits in the AFL

The family's tributes were followed by Paul Kelly performing Leaps and Bounds.

Daniher played 82 games for Essendon in the AFL/VFL from 1979 to 1990 and later coached Melbourne for more than 220 games from 1998 to 2007, including guiding the Demons to the grand final in 2000.

Former Melbourne captain David Neitz and player Paul Hopgood spoke about Daniher's pursuit to improve the club during his time with the Demons.

"He was uncompromising, demanding, precise and relentless," Hopgood said. 

"'Believe in what's possible' he said as he took the team that finished last in '97 to a prelim in '98 and a grand final in just his third year as a senior coach."

Neale Daniher gave Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan his first job in the AFL. He served as Daniher's assistant at Melbourne for 10 years, having never played the game at the highest level.

They remained close friends for 30 years.

Fagan said Daniher remained his mentor over the decades, and helped him overcome his impostor syndrome.

"Neale made me feel valued, he gave me confidence, he believed in me," Fagan said.

"I've got every one of the beanies from the 12 MND campaigns sitting on a shelf behind my desk. 

"I've got them there for a reason — every time I'm feeling sorry for myself or we've had a bad day or a loss, I look at them and it just reminds me to push on and find a way to get better."

Fagan noted Daniher's strength during his fight with MND and said he uses Daniher's lessons in resilience in his own coaching of players at Brisbane.

"I've got three heroes in my life — my dad, my mum and Neale. They're the people who have impacted my life most.

"Thank you to Neale for making this world a better place."

The service finished with the Daniher children acting as pallbearers and a hearse taking Daniher for one final lap of the MCG before proceeding through a guard of honour along Daniher Way outside the stadium.