The small New South Wales town of Ungarie had much to celebrate with the success of Jim’s ‘boys’ in the VFL.
Although boasting a population of only 250, the town could proudly point to the day when the four Daniher boys all played for Essendon. For 20 years in a row there was at least one Daniher on the Bombers list.
Terry was the oldest and most successful. Like Anthony, he started his career with South Melbourne before it shifted to Sydney, but after two seasons he joined the Bombers.
During his AFL career, he racked up 313 games (44th on the all-time top 100 games list) and 469 goals (67th on the all-time top 100 goals list). At Essendon he is sixth and seventh for games and goals respectively. He also captained the club to two premierships.
Neil, considered by many to be the most talented, chalked up 63 games in his first three seasons but was then plagued by knee injuries and never again regained his early form, playing only a few games in 1985, 1989 and 1990.
Neil went on to coach Melbourne, and I was always impressed with the way he took on the role of front man for the club and represented them in the media.
Now suffering from motor neurone disease, he has been a tireless worker in raising funds for research into MND and was the key factor in the fundraising Big Freeze at the ‘G each year, a fundraiser well worth supporting.
(AFL Images)
Anthony joined South Melbourne the year before it relocated to Sydney, and a long career with the Swans sees him still just outside the top 100 game-players and goal-scorers for the club in 108th and 109th places respectively.
Chris, now approaching age 52 and the youngest of the four footballing brothers, played his whole league career at Essendon, amassing 124 games and 40 goals in his 11-year tenure.
Essendon is still alive today with the “Daniher!” call as generation next, Joe Daniher, son of Anthony, is the club’s latest goal-kicking sensation. He’s already 30th on the club’s top 100 goal kicking list, and though he’s a long way from joining the club’s top 100 game players, he will pass the 100-game milestone this year.
The next time you’re driving between West Wyalong and Lake Cargelligo, make sure you stop and pay homage to Jim Daniher, his boys and the next generation of footballers. The thing I love is that when they played for Ungarie they were all Magpies!
andyl12
Guest
It was a huge mistake even without the Coll-WCE draw!
Aransan
Guest
So Sheedy made a mistake in not anticipating the draw between Collingwood and West Coast? Perhaps we should use your crystal ball to determine the Tattslotto numbers for the next draw.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
they're special.
Redb
Roar Guru
yes great to see. Fave player was Terry Daniher.
Aligee
Guest
Farmers!!, when is the weather good.
andyl12
Guest
Sheedy rested several stars that day- partly because they had top spot sewn up and partly for sentimental reasons like the Daniher reunion. It backfired when the Collingwood-West Coast draw the following week meant many Bombers went four weeks without football and were no longer match-ready for the club's finals campaign. Sheedy admitted as much, seeking out practice matches with non-finalist teams.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I went to that match. It was a little gem.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Lots of dry ones at any rate. I might have misheard but I thought I heard them say on the news that they'd had too much rain in recent seasons! We'll all be rooned! Terry once mentioned the tedium of tractor driving inspired him to play footy.
Aligee
Guest
John Ironmonger now lives in the US, help found a club or 2 over there, not sure whether he still plays or not, must be getting on a bit. http://www.ggafl.com/
Aligee
Guest
Maybe even uncreeky as well.
Aransan
Guest
"Neale's final game was against St Kilda in round 22 of the 1990 season. His three brothers played that day too as the Danihers created history. The Bombers won by 35 points with Neale kicking three goals." How did that contribute to Essendon missing out on the 1990 flag?
Perry Bridge
Guest
Three Danihers played for NSW when they defeated WA by 2 points at Football Park in Adelaide in the 1988 Bicentennial SoO carnival. That was all but Neale. In 1990 though - all 4 hit the field at the SCG for NSW vs Vic (B) and in wet conditions - it was John Longmire with a lazy 8 goals of 13 that saw the NSW side win by 10 points (21 to 26 scoring shots) over a wasteful Vics side. That side included the likes of Fruity Allison, Billy Brownless, Wayne Carey, Mickey Gayfer, 'Fridge' Roberts and Bernard Toohey. They were valid NSW/ACT selections. Others though - Strathmore's Mark Eustace, Oakleigh's Stevie Wright and East Perth's John Ironmonger were more taking the field because they were once Swans players!!
andyl12
Guest
You mean back when Kevin Sheedy sent cops over to Bob Yeoman's house because he saw Hawthorn players sniffing eucalyptus oil? They might've been a prouder club in the 80s, not sure if they were any more respectable.
andyl12
Guest
Sheedy's sentiment in playing the four Danihers together contributed to them missing out on the 1990 flag. Yep, thanks Kevin.
Reservoir Animal
Guest
Sounds like Harsh Truth Harry to me!
Redb
Roar Guru
One flag in almost 40 years and you talk about respect lol Looking forward to the Tiger capitulation. You know its going to happen.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Decidely unrivery as well.
Aligee
Guest
Well this is true, the area is depopulating, but the teams in the NRFL are all pretty close to one another really, except when Cobar was in the League, i think it has been in and out over the years Now Cobar would be way closer to the QLD border than Vic.
truetigerfan
Guest
Aaaahhh the Daniher boys. Class acts all of them. Back in the day when Essendon were a respected football club.
Kangajets
Guest
Not many people out that way , northwest Riverina and central west might have some crossover for competitions in afl