Beloved AFL icon Neale Daniher has been heard for the first time in years, thanks to new technology.

Daniher has been battling motor neurone disease since 2013, but has never lost his infectious enthusiasm and determination.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Neale Daniher gets his voice back.

The 64-year-old was crowned the 2025 Australian of the Year in recognition of his fundraising for the incurable disease.

The former Melbourne coach and Essendon player has lost the ability to speak, but uses eye-gaze technology to communicate.

When he spoke at the Australian of the Year ceremony, Daniher could be heard in a robotic voice.

However, the computer voice has now been adjusted using AI and his old media conferences to sound like he used to.

“It’s much better than the robot voice I had, but I don’t sit around listening to myself all day,” Daniher said.

Wife Jan added: “It’s really exciting and the first time we heard it, we were just gobsmacked.”

Daniher was speaking on Tuesday as he prepares to head to Perth for his first official interstate trip as Australian of the Year.

Daniher, along with Jan and their WA-based son Luke, will lead this year’s Hand in Hand Crossing for Inclusion over Matagarup Bridge ahead of Fremantle’s clash against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

“We know how strong and caring the football community is and how it bonds people together for great causes,” Daniher said.

“The Big Freeze is a perfect example of what people power, combined with football, can do to improve the lives of others.

“I am very proud that I can be the person who gives WA an up-close opportunity to recognise all things Australian of the Year and amplify the purpose of the award.

“The fact that this is the longest plane flight I have undertaken for quite a while tells you how much I want to be there.”

Jan Daniher described Sunday’s crossing as an “incredible event”.

“It raises awareness for people with disability and the issues that they have just in their normal life,” she said.

“Hopefully there’s a really big crowd that will support it on Sunday.

“Neale has done an amazing job over the last 10 years. He’s very determined and very passionate obviously about doing as much as he can while he’s alive.

“We’re very proud of what he’s been able to achieve with the help of so many people around Australia because without their support we wouldn’t be where we are today.“

Daniher has rallied the nation as a co-founder of FightMND, which has raised and invested over $115 million for research to find a cure.

The charity’s Big Freeze fundraiser at the King’s Birthday match at the MCG has become a leading part of the AFL fixture for a decade.

He plans to capitalise on his new title as Australian of the Year with something special to launch the blockbuster clash.

“I can let you in on a secret that the launch next month will be in a very public spot that people can come down and buy beanies direct from us,” he said.