Neale caught up and taught him that “actions have consequences but more importantly lessons are opportunities”.
AFL great and motor neurone disease crusader Neale Daniher has been farewelled at a state funeral in front of legions of fans he inspired over his decade-long battle.
Recap all the incredible stories told by his friends and family below, and tune into Seven and 7plus for more coverage.
Neale the brother
Plenty has been said about Neale as a father and grandfather, a coach and an MND advocate.
His brother Anthony remembered their childhood on the farm and a cheeky Neale playing his way off to Assumption College and later Essendon.
“In recent days we’ve heard Neale described as a hero, a legend, courageous and brave. He was all of those things,” he said.
“But to us he was simply our brother, a beautiful brother, a little boy, a determined look on his face, flexing on his beach, with a whole life in front of him.
“He laughed with us, teased us, gave us advice whether we asked for it or not, and always stood beside us.
“We will never forget the sound of his big, unmistakable laugh, his quick wit and that mischievous spark so uniquely Neale.”
Neale’s grandchildren ‘wish he could come back’
Luke’s son Cooper and Loz’s daughter Rosie have bravely taken the stage to speak with their parents by their side.
“When I was born pops couldn’t hold me with his arms. He still found a way to rock me with his legs,” Cooper said.
“Even when he couldn’t talk he used his machine to chat and called me and my brother cheeky monkeys.
“My pops was brave and courageous and I hope I can be like him when I grow up. I miss you poppy, play on.”
Rosie helped push the sliders down on Monday.
“I love poppy very much, I wish he came back,” Rosie said.
“I love everywhere he took me. When I was born he would rock me to sleep on his legs. I love reading to pop and I can still read to him. I wish he could come back to see us and take me on adventures.
“I wish he could come back to the Big Freeze. Poppy I see you as a star in the sky, I hope you got to see me push the sliders down.
“I love you pop, goodbye.”
Bec’s teary message to Neale
Daughter Bec has been by Neale’s side so many times throughout their tireless campaigning for FreezeMND.
“I feel incredible fortunate to have dad in my life for 35 years. He tested me, he supported me, he guided me and abaove all else, he loved us in his own way,” she began.
“When MND came into our lives it set off a grenade that changed the very foundations, but somehow in the middle of it, it brought us closer than ever.
“For 12 years, I worked side by side with him. In that time, he became more than a dad to me, he became my mentor, my coach and my confidant.
“I learnt so much from him and those lessons I will carry on with me forever.”
Bec went on to say that Neale inspired her and everyone else around him to be better people.
“He had this incredible ability to pull you in and have you hanging on every word he says, but not not quite sure where it will end up,” she continued.
“You’d laugh, you’d reflect and somehow woven into this were these powerful crumbs of wisdom, long after the story ended.
“I’ll admit I was pretty daunted when I had to speak on his behalf when his voice started failing him.
“But his message to me was simple: Be authentic, be yourself and don’t try to be anybody else.
“It was such a simple piece of advice but it grounded me every time I stepped up.”
Bec, who is expecting her third child in the coming days, broke down when speaking about the upcoming arrival.
“In the next week or two, we will be welcoming a little boy into the world,” she said through tears.
“I know you wanted to meet him, but he’ll have your spirit and laugh.
“We will forever miss you, we will forever love you.”
WITO
Luke said Neale made it easy to decide what to say at his funeral because of one acronym.
“WITO – where is the opportunity,” he said.
“Dad taught us that life isn’t a matter of if things will get tough, it’s just a matter of 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 remembered discovering Neale’s hiding spot for his beloved choc mint biscuits and sensed an opportunity.
Bec wanted nothing to do with it “but was happy to be my stepladder” as he played out his own Jesaulenko, you beauty moment.
But Neale was quick to spot the pair and “apparently dad had identified an opportunity as well – the opportunity to teach me a lesson”.
Neale caught up and taught him that “actions have consequences but more importantly lessons are opportunities”.