MUCH-LOVED Demon Neale Daniher has been recognised for his incredible contribution to the club and the game, inducted into the Melbourne Football Club’s Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made at the club’s Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy event on Friday night, with Daniher the only addition to the prestigious list.

Joining Melbourne ahead of the 1998 season, Daniher coached the Demons across a 10-year period, which included six finals appearances. His most successful year was in 2000, where he took his side to a Grand Final.

Melbourne President Kate Roffey reflected on the remarkable efforts of the club’s 50^th Hall of Fame inductee.

“The Board is absolutely delighted to be welcoming Neale into the Melbourne Football Club Hall of Fame,” Roffey said.

“Neale had a significant impact across his 167 games as senior coach throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, and he continues to inspire all those within our club, from our players, coaches and staff to our members and supporters.

“He truly epitomises the Demon spirit. Neale’s leadership, resilience and positive attitude, particularly in the eight years since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, is remarkable. He has not taken a backwards step in his fight against ‘The Beast’ and is an inspiration to many in the wider community.

“Our club is a better place because of Neale Daniher, and we are incredibly lucky to call him a proud Melbourne person.

“We congratulate and thank Neale, along with his wife Jan and their children Lauren, Luke, Bec and Ben, for all that have given to our club.”

Daniher was awarded Life Membership of the club in 2007 and has been the driving force behind the ‘Big Freeze’, which Melbourne has been part of since the inaugural event in 2015.

With a motto to ‘play on’, he has led the fight against what he deems ‘The Beast’, campaigning to raise funds, awareness and a cure for MND – work that saw him appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia earlier this year.

Daniher’s charity FightMND has contributed over $63 million to research, clinical trials and drug development projects, while supporting those impacted with the devastating disease.

He becomes the club’s first Hall of Fame inductee since 2017.