The West Coast Eagles are deeply saddened by the passing of inspirational football figure Neale Daniher today, aged 65.

An Australian icon, Daniher’s courageous battle against ‘The Beast’ – Motor Neurone Disease – and subsequent fundraising and awareness campaign is a legacy that will endure.

Daniher was General Manager of Football at the West Coast Eagles when he was diagnosed in 2013 and dedicated the remainder of his incredible life to finding a cure.

The FightMND foundation gave rise to the hugely impactful annual ‘Big Freeze at the ‘G’ fundraising match between Collingwood and Melbourne, and the West Coast Eagles are proudly involved each season with the ‘WA Freeze’ match at Optus Stadium.

Neale spent five years at the West Coast Eagles between 2009-2013, working alongside then-senior coach and now Head of Football, John Worsfold, helping to reshape the Club for its next period of success.

“Neale was an amazing man that I was blessed to work alongside at the West Coast Eagles,” Worsfold said.

“His support through a tough rebuild phase played a big role in our Club quickly regaining a position where we went on to win our fourth premiership.

“Our friendship continued beyond our Eagles working days and I was extremely honoured to be invited to be the 37^th person to take the slide into the Big Freeze pool at the ‘G.

“Neale was an inspirational leader who will be sadly missed, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

Daniher inspired countless Australians with his positive attitude, determination, humility and humour in the face of his own battle with the terrible disease and was named as a Member of the Order of Australia (2016) and Officer of the Order of Australia (2021) before being named Australian of the Year in 2025.

Daniher was a Life Member of the AFL, and his fundraising efforts have seen more than $100m contributed to research projects.

“Neale was a giant of our game and his selflessness to confront his battle so publicly to find a cure for MND was an inspiration to so many in the Australian community,” CEO Don Pyke said.

“As Neale famously quoted, ‘When all is said and done, more is said than done’ but not by Neale who, even when facing his own mortality, 'did'. 

“He raised significant funds and awareness for the fight against MND - all the time knowing that a cure would not save him but would help many MND sufferers in the future. That is what made him a special and great Australian.

“Neale’s legacy will endure forever and our Club is incredibly privileged and grateful to call him one of our own.

“On behalf of the West Coast Eagles, I send my heartfelt and sincere condolences to Neale’s wife Jan, his children Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke and the entire Daniher family.”

The West Coast Eagles will pay tribute to Neale Daniher at the Club’s home game on Sunday against Essendon and during the annual WA Freeze match in round 13.