Bec Daniher fought back tears as she recounted her last conversation with her father, Neale, ahead of Monday’s AFL clash between Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG after the Daniher family addressed both clubs on Wednesday. Their annual Big Freeze tradition—
For the first time since Neale Daniher died last week, his wife Jan and his daughter Bec spoke publicly in front of both Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG on Wednesday—two clubs joined for the Daniher family ahead of Monday’s massive AFL clash.
Bec. the driving force behind the Big Freeze tradition for FightMND. struggled to hold back tears as she revealed what her father told her in their last conversation. She described the moment as something he was already preparing for. not only emotionally. but in the way he used his words to set a standard for the people closest to him.
When Neale received his Australian of the Year award. Bec told the clubs. he said: “I hope to leave a legacy that says this: no matter the odds. no matter the diagnosis. we all have the power to fight. to smile. and to do.” She also reminded the room of his lived message: “Because the mark of a person is not what they say. it’s what they do.”.
“In a way, I think he was preparing us for the inevitability of his battle,” Bec said, before adding: “But that doesn’t make it any less raw or any less difficult.”
The speech he gave her family before his death. she said. was tied directly to the moment Melbourne and Collingwood were about to share. “What it does mean. is that he knows what he expects of us now: to make the most of the moments that we have. to take that chance. to not let tomorrow be never. ” Bec said.
Then came the detail that turned the evening intimate, even with the whole group watching. “My last conversation with Dad was actually about this moment. He was looking forward to it and he was preparing his speech.”
She added: “He taught us it’s up to us, how we show up, that attitude is a choice.”
Neale’s wife Jan also spoke to both clubs on Wednesday afternoon, a moment Bec described as usually belonging to her father. “This is usually dad’s moment, and it is something that he valued so highly,” she said.
For Bec, the importance of Monday’s Big Freeze isn’t just about the matchup. “Dad’s legacy was never about what he achieved. it was about what he showed us all was possible. ” she told the crowd. “He loved being able to come to Melbourne and Collingwood. not just because of the game. which he loved. but also because he had so much to share with you all.”.
Bec said this week has been the first time Jan and Bec had spoken publicly since Neale’s death, with the 12th Big Freeze game taking on even greater meaning after the AFL icon ended a 13-year fight with motor neurone disease.
Neale’s sister Nerolee was in the room on Wednesday, and Collingwood defender Isaac Quaynor described the gathering as special. “I just want to touch on the impressive nature of Bec and Jan speaking in front of the whole group – such a powerful moment. ” Quaynor said. “They spoke from the heart and they’re obviously going through such a tough time. To be part of such an incredible week, it’s something really special.”.
Quaynor made clear the feeling on the eve of the annual clash. “Definitely at Collingwood we get to play in a lot of big games, but this is probably right at the top of the cake. It’s so much more … than just a football game – get your beanies and fight a good cause.”
The Big Freeze itself remains a major annual event beyond the fixture. Before the game, assorted AFL identities and celebrities slide into an ice bath to promote Daniher’s FightMND campaign. Another signature element of the charity is its beanies. which will take the place of club colours for most of the capacity crowd.
Melbourne defender Jake Lever—who will return from concussion to play in his ninth King’s Birthday game—said Daniher’s visits to the clubs were always a highlight. He remembered a time three years ago when Daniher could no longer speak. but still worked his way into the pre-game ritual. “He was using his eye-recognition technology to answer and true to his nature. ribbed Brayshaw about his recent engagement. ” Lever said. referring to former Demon star Angus Brayshaw asking questions. Lever added that the banter “brought everyone to laughter”.
Lever also spoke about what he carries from Daniher’s speeches. “Neale’s a pretty significant person at our footy club. It just makes you reflect on some of the speeches he’s given to us over the time, some of his inspirational quotes,” he said.
It’s an enduring presence that extends well past match day. “Just the work Neale did behind the scenes – we love Neale so much and the game is a small part of it,” Lever said. “But I’m so glad we get to play in it. Asked if he would play, Lever said ‘it’s going to be hard to keep me out.’”
The match carries its own pressure as well. Melbourne will be looking to arrest a run that includes losing their past two games, while Collingwood has dropped three of its past four.
For Brody Mihocek, the King’s Birthday game has a personal edge. The Melbourne forward will come up against his old club for the first time. “He’s a pretty cool customer. He’s looking forward to it, first and foremost,” Lever said of the 2022 Collingwood premiership player. Lever also drew on his own history. recalling that when he played against his old side (Adelaide) he won by 100 points and saying: “so that would be nice … I’m sure it’s going to be closer than that.”.
When Lever was asked about Mihocek with Quaynor standing next to him, the mood shifted instantly. “I was just saying to him … that I will definitely be getting into him,” Quaynor said. “We know he loves a goal, so any time he’s around (the) goals I will be in his ear.”
Quaynor added: “We love Checkers at the ‘Pies, he had an incredible journey with us and I’m always really keen to go up against a great player.”
The Daniher family’s impact reached into the charity side too on Wednesday. Lever and Quaynor presented a $20,000 cheque from AFL players to FightMND chief executive Matt Tilley.
AFL Collingwood Melbourne Big Freeze FightMND Neale Daniher Bec Daniher Jan Daniher Isaac Quaynor Jake Lever Brody Mihocek motor neurone disease MCG