Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Neale Francis Daniher

Known as
Neale Daniher

Born
15 February 1961 (age 63)

Place of birth
West Wyalong, NSW (2671)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 44d
Last game: 29y 198d

Height and weight
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 84 kg

Senior clubs
Essendon

Jumper numbers
Essendon: 6, 36

State of origin
NSW

Family links
Terry Daniher (Brother)Anthony Daniher (Brother)Chris Daniher (Brother)Darcy Daniher (Nephew)Joe Daniher (Nephew)

Neale Daniher

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
EssendonV/AFL1979-1981, 1985, 1989-199082320.3962%11.895.273.5921
Total1979-1981, 1985, 1989-199082320.3962%11.895.273.5921

AFL: 9,044th player to appear, 2,957th most games played, 2,853rd most goals kickedEssendon: 860th player to appear, 224th most games played, 247th most goals kicked

Possibly the most naturally gifted, and certainly the unluckiest, of the Daniher brothers, Neale Daniher seemed to be on the verge of developing into one of the game's all time great defenders when his career was cruelly derailed by a serious knee injury, which required a full reconstruction. That was in 1981, his third league season, during which he had emphasised his potential by winning Essendon's best and fairest award, as well as representing Victoria for the second successive season.

Daniher later made two attempts to resurrect his career, in 1985, and, more concertedly but no more successfully, in 1989-90. Both attempts gave rise to the need for further knee reconstructions.

At his best, Neale Daniher boasted pace, smooth skills, and commanding aerial prowess. He also had an extremely sharp football brain, which he would eventually put to good use as coach of Melbourne, where he was in charge from 1998 to 2007. Prior to that he had undertaken support coaching roles at both Essendon and Fremantle.

As a player, Neale Daniher made 82 senior appearances for the Bombers, and kicked 32 goals. In 1991 he played with Werribee in the VFA and was a member of the Tigers team which lost that season's grand final to Dandenong.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.