How Neale Daniher’s influence convinced No. 1 pick to join Dees

Former AFL ruckman Jeff White credits much of his career to late footy icon Neale Daniher.

Daniher, who passed away on Monday after a long and courageous battle with MND, coached White across just about the entirety of his career.

White, who was taken at pick No. 1 in the 1994 draft, had Daniher as an assistant for his three seasons at Fremantle from 1995 to 1997.

Once Daniher took over at Melbourne in 1998, White effectively ended up following him back to Melbourne, where he’d be coached by the legend for his decade-long stretch in charge of the Dees from 1998 to 2007.

Having played such a big role in his career, White would often refer to Daniher as his second dad, and the ruckman revealed how having Daniher in his corner made his switch to the Dees an easy one.

“I did (call him my second dad),” White told SEN’s This Is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.

“He was my assistant coach at Fremantle when I first went over to Freo, and he really got along with my dad quite well.

“I was a 17-year-old back then when he got drafted, moved to the other side of the other side of the country, and he'd become a bit of a father figure for me. Then that obviously continued with Melbourne.

“Looking back, it was quite funny, he was the actual one who told me through that three-year period if I was in the side or I wasn’t. He was the main one who would call me.

“We had that sort of relationship where we could, you know, be very open and transparent. A part of me was like I want to be in the side, but we developed such a really good relationship.

“Hence, the reason when he got the head job at Melbourne, it became a really easy decision for me to go to Melbourne.

“Cameron Schwab was the one who actually selected me (at Fremantle), but then he took up the head role at Melbourne.

“He had a really good relationship with Neale and obviously with myself… I mean, I spoke to a number of clubs when I came back which was my due diligence.

“But when Neale was officially made the coach, it sort of made the decision really easy… it just all fell into place that way.”

White was amongst a group of guests who paid tribute to Daniher in this week’s special edition paying tribute to the Australian football icon.

Listen to the full Neale Daniher special episode with Sam Edmund below.