About his hard work in raising money to pay for researchers to find treatment, which is unlikely to be available in his time.

And for the joy he and his large footballing family have brought generations of fans.

For Melbourne veteran Bernie Vince, it was the former Demons' coach's focus on finding opportunities even in the darkest situations that left a lasting impression.

Vince will run out against Collingwood at the MCG on Monday, as part of the Freeze MND fundraising day.

Daniher returned to the club to speak to the players about the condition last week and to tell them what he had learned.

Vince said Daniher encouraged the group to shut their eyes and wiggle their toes. Then Daniher told the players to stop moving their toes on their right foot, but to tell themselves they were trying to continue the movement.

"I actually did feel almost claustrophobic, or controlled by it," he said. "You can't really relate to what [sufferers] are going through but it still put it in perspective for us, it's a shocking disease."

Vince said he admired how Daniher had decided that he did not want to be seen as a victim, despite his illness.

"He saw it as an opportunity to raise money and try to find a cure for the disease," he said.

Vince says he's never stopped being grateful for the opportunity to play football – he never thought he's make it.

And he's always loved playing game, even when times were tough on-field.

Since he was traded to Melbourne from Adelaide, the 'Dees have finished 17th and 13th on the ladder, though individually he has done well, winning the club's best and fairest last year.

"The game goes for two hours on a Saturday," he said.

"Coming into a job where you've got 40 of your mates, it's almost like going to school but with big kids, it's bloody good fun."

Vince likes the camaraderie between teammates, the way they support each other and keep each other in check.

The current crop of Melbourne players enjoyed a particularly close bond, he said.

"Guys come in, maybe a little bit confident, a little bit cocky, and they get knocked straight back down to a level they need to be," he said.

"Other guys are really quiet and a little shy and low and they get lifted up, so it's a great atmosphere to be around."

Now 30, Vince says family and friends are his priority, so he does not worry, as some sportspeople do, that his life has already hit its peak.

"You look forward to all sorts of different things when it's over, like maybe starting a family, so my life's not over."

In the meantime he will continue to make the most of his time in football.

"[Daniher] says the opportunity to play AFL footy is not going to be there forever, so take it while you can," he said.