Australian of the Year Neale Daniher to lead Matagarup Bridge crossing before Freo’s round four clash

Australian of the Year Neale Daniher will lead this year’s Hand in Hand Crossing for Inclusion over Matagarup Bridge in the build up to Fremantle’s round four game against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium early next month. Daniher, 64, who has rallied the nation with his tireless work for motor neuron disease since being diagnosed with the illness in 2013, described himself as a “boy from outback Australia from a small town” when he was awarded the honour by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra earlier this year. “It’s the first time we’ve had a public figure leading the crossing and I couldn’t think of anyone better,” WA All Abilities Football Association inclusion specialist Rob Geersen said. “Neale was an inaugural assistant coach at Fremantle and also worked at the Eagles. He has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity and is the very best example of what is possible in life.” The former Essendon forward and Melbourne coach’s appearance in Perth will mark the first time a public figure has led the WA All Abilities Football Association’s annual crossing, which is supported by the Dockers’ Purple Hands Foundation, the West Australian Football Commission and Telethon. Last year 88 children from 19 Perth Starkick centres made the crossing, supported by family, friends and the football and wider community. Daniher, who hails from the NSW central west town of Ungarie, played more than 80 games for Essendon between 1979 and 1990 in a career plagued by knee injuries, before he transitioned to coaching, leading Melbourne from 1998 to 2007, including a 2000 grand final appearance. He made history in September 1990 alongside brothers Terry, Anthony and Chris as the only sibling quartet to have played in the same VFL-AFL match. After being diagnosed with the illness, Daniher co-founded FightMND, a charity that has raised and invested over $115 million for research to find a cure with the charity’s Big Freeze fundraiser at the King’s Birthday MCG match becoming a leading AFL fixture. “It’s obviously a great honour, which allows a terrific platform to promote and thank everyone across Australia that has supported our cause, because without them, I would never have been nominated,” he said when he became Australian of the Year. “(A highlight of the campaign) has been how we have built an army of supporters that have joined us in our fight against MND. That has been the starting point for everything.” The organisation has helped to raise more than $100 million for research of the condition. “When I was diagnosed back in 2013, there was a small, but dedicated research community, but we needed to build our capacity if we were serious about taking the fight to MND,” Daniher said. “The highlight (of the campaign) for me is how we have steadily built our capacity, for without a dedicated and robust research community, we won’t get the breakthrough we are after.” Daniher’s wife Jan said the family had been enormously proud of all of his advocacy. “Neale has been so strong and resilient through, obviously, going through a really tough time,” she said. “It’s not just about us, it’s about all the people that have supported us along the way, because without them, we wouldn’t be here today.” National Australia Day Council chair John Foreman congratulated Daniher on his accomplishment. “Neale’s dedication to changing the outcomes for people diagnosed with motor neurone disease while dealing with his own health is truly inspirational,” he said. “His efforts today are giving people hope for tomorrow.” Mr Geerson said the crossing promoted inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with disabilities and served as a “powerful symbol of unity and support, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to promote an inclusive society and create an accessible environment for all”. Participants are asked to meet in Peace Park on the East Perth side of Matagarup Bridge at noon for an expected 12.30pm start on Sunday, April 6, in the lead up to the Dockers’ blockbuster clash.