With plenty of discussion surrounding the dominance of the Daicos', the Ashcrofts and the De Konings in today's league, we thought it was time to take a look at some of the greatest football families in the history of our game.
Here are 10 of the best AFL football families that have graced the game...
Honourable Mentions: The Burgoynes, the Moores, the Ashcrofts, the Darcys, the Liberatores, the Tucks, the Whittens, the Barassis, the Scarletts, the Silvagnis, the Fletchers, the Hawkins', the Maddens, the Blakeys, the Clokes, the Hirds, the Roccas', the Picketts, the Hills, the Scotts, the Curnows and the Pickens'.
6. The Danihers
On September 1 1990, the Danihers made history when they became the first quartet of brothers to play for the same team in a single VFL/AFL game.
Terry Daniher is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats of the game. The eldest sibling ranks sixth in all-time for games played for Essendon (294) and seventh in the club's all-time goalkicking charts (447). Across the journey, Terry captained two premierships (1984 & 1985), made three All-Australian teams (named captain of the 1985 AA team), received one best and fairest (1982) and won one VFLPA MVP (1983). The biggest testament to his career is his entry into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and his placement in Essendon's team of the century.
Like Terry, Anthony Daniher played out his career for both the South Melbourne/Sydney Swans and Essendon. Unlike his brother, however, Anthony made his name in defence, earning All-Australian honours as a fullback in 1991. Unlucky not to have received more honours throughout his 233-game career, Anthony was runner-up in Sydney's 1985 best and fairest count and was just one win away from a premiership medallion, losing to Collingwood in the 1990 Grand Final. In 1994, Anthony retired as the last player to have ever played for South Melbourne.
Drafted with a top 10 pick, Joe Daniher was the most highly touted of the Danihers upon entering the league. Retiring at the end of the 2024 season, the son of Anthony was an elite goalkicker, finishing top five in the Coleman Medal on three occasions and sitting ninth in Brisbane's all-time goalkicking charts. The 201cm forward played a total of 204 games and kicked 395 goals across 12 seasons, leading his club's goalkicking tally on half of these occasions. Throughout his time in the league, Joe had won one premiership, one All-Australian, one best and fairest, one Anzac Day Medal and one Mark of the Year Award. He is also one the more underrated finals performers in recent memory, kicking 29 goals in 13 finals games, including two clutch-time goals in last year's preliminary final, two goals in the Grand Final, and an impressive 10-goal finals series in Brisbane's 2022 campaign.
The youngest Daniher sibling, Chris, is best known for his part in Essendon's 1993 premiership. The utility played 11 years in the league and finished his career with 124 games and 40 goals.
Although perhaps not the most distinguished of playing careers, there is zero doubt that Neale Daniher is the most inspirational person on this list. The 64-year-old recently received the coveted Australian of the Year Award and in 2021 was promoted from the position of member to Officer in the Order of Australia due to his immense efforts in raising awareness for Motor Neuron Disease (MND). His 'Big Freeze' awareness campaign has so far raised 117 million dollars and is only getting stronger, with record-breaking funds every year going towards finding a cure and helping with care initiatives. As a player, Neale's career was limited due to injury, playing just 82 games in 12 years. Despite this limited playing time, the time he had spent on the field had been impressive, with the half-back flanker winning Essendon's best and fairest in 1981 before being awarded the captaincy the following season.
Having played only six games across four years of professional football, Darcy Daniher is easily at the back of the Daniher pack. The 35-year-old's best moment came in 2009 when he amassed 22 disposals in a Round 2 win over Fremantle.
In 962 games, the Danihers have a return of 1016 goals, four premierships, five All-Australians, three best and fairests and eight goalkicking titles for their respective clubs.
Couldn’t manage to get the Silvagni name in there Dale?
Not a great effort Dale.
You include uncles and cousins – but ONLY if they have the same name. A few extra moment of research would have told you that the Ablett famil also includes Michael, Travis and Tuck.
While the Watson family includes Seb Ross.