Neale Daniher had everything taken from him, except his courage and humanity.
The man who became the symbol of the fight against MND has died aged 65.
Daniher's family released a statement saying the former AFL player and coach died on Monday at home.
It is a fortnight until the annual Collingwood-Melbourne King's Birthday match at the MCG, which has become a major fundraiser for MND research through the Big Freeze pre-game promotion.
Daniher was Australian Of The Year in 2025 and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the tributes.
"With the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for the great Australian," Albanese said in parliament.
The PM noted that the average life expectancy for motor neurone disease was 27 months when Daniher was diagnosed, but he fought for 13 years.
