Tribute to the Danihers to be unveiled

One of Australia’s most famous sporting families, the Danihers, will be immortalised in AFL folklore on Saturday at the unveiling of a giant Sherrin football in their hometown of Ungarie.

A host of former AFL legends will join Triple M Rocks Footy personalities Billy Brownless and James Brayshaw for the unveiling of an 800 kilogram fibreglass Sherrin which pays tribute to the historic achievements of Terry, Neale, Anthony and Chris Daniher - who remain the only set of four brothers to take the field together in a VFL/AFL premiership match.

The giant football will be hoisted on a four metre pedestal over Ungarie’s Bing Wallder Park and is expected to become the next BIG tourist attraction by attracting Essendon and AFL fans from across Australia.

With the support of Triple M Rocks Footy, the NSW Government and Bland Shire Council, the project is an initiative of the Ungarie Advancement Group and more than 1000 people are expected to flock to Ungarie for the historic occasion.

James Brayshaw will be the master of ceremonies at the unveiling, which will take place at 11am and be followed by a Legends AFL match and Auskick Superclinic at Ungarie Showground.

The Legends match will be between The Danihers and the All Stars commencing at 12.15pm.

The Danihers team will wear the famous Essendon colours and be made up exclusively of members of the Daniher family with Neale Daniher as coach and Terry, Anthony and Chris Daniher the co-captains.

The All Stars team will wear the black and white colours of Ungarie and include former Brownlow medallist and Sydney Swans “Captain Courageous” Paul Kelly and former Essendon stars Bryan Wood, Garry Foulds, Paul Hamilton and Steve Carey alongside a number of current and former Australian football identities from throughout the region.

Patrons at the ground will be able to hear live Triple M commentary from James Brayshaw and Luke Francis with special comments on the sideline from Billy Brownless.

The match will be played over four 12 minutes quarters and be followed by an Auskick Superclinic conducted by event partner and sponsor AFL NSW/ACT.

The Superclinic is open to all young footballers who simply need to turn up on the day to take part.

The Ungarie Australian Football and Netball Club will have full bar and barbecue facilities available at the Showground while the Ungarie Bowling Club will host the informal after match celebrations later in the day.

To accommodate the large crowd expected on the day, Council will close a section of Wollongough Street (between Ungarie Street and Merrengreen Road) and Humbug Street (between Wollongough Street and Crowncamp Road) between 9am and 12 noon with a traffic detour in place.

Event parking will be at the Ungarie Showground with people encouraged to walk the short distance to Bing Wallder Park for the unveiling. A mini bus will be available to transport people between the park and the Showground who may have difficulty walking.

Entry to the Showground and all events is free but volunteers will be collecting donations for Neale Daniher’s charity Fight MND on the day while Triple M is also conducting an on air charity drive.

For those who cannot make it, Triple M Riverina MIA (Griffith) and Triple M Riverina (Wagga) will be broadcasting live from Ungarie from 8am on Saturday with a live call of the Legends game. Triple M will also live stream the game through its Facebook page.