Adelaide coach Don Pyke has more reason than most to welcome the AFL’s focus on Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
“My father passed away from MND about four and a half years ago,” Pyke said.
“I saw him, only briefly, live with the disease and it’s a terrible disease.”
The AFL, through playing and coaching great Neale Daniher, a MND sufferer, will hold an awareness and fundraiser dubbed Freeze at the G during Monday’s AFL game between Melbourne and Collingwood.
“It’s great what Neale is doing, in particular the Freeze at the G campaign,” Pyke said.
“I know last year they raised nearly $2.7 million, which was fantastic.
“There is no cure at this point so I’m fully supportive.”
Daniher’s final year at West Coast as an assistant was Pyke’s first in the Eagles coaching box.
“He’s a ripping bloke,” Pyke said.
“He has tackled the disease with the sort of energy you thought he would and to raise that level of funds is a credit to him and his family.
“It’s really easy to get behind someone like that and support him and his cause.”