Chris was born the sixth of eleven children of James "Jim" Daniher and Edna Daniher (née Erwin) on 31 March 1966 at West Wyalong Base Hospital. Chris attended St Joseph's Catholic School, Ungarie for his primary education before going to Ungarie Central School until year ten, after which he became a farmer. It was during his childhood that Chris showed his love for sport, namely Australian rules football, playing in the
Northern Riverina Football League (NRFL) on Saturdays while playing
rugby league at school carnivals. It was during his time in the NRFL that Chris won many best & fairest awards before he tore his
anterior cruciate ligament in December 1984. After Chris recovered from this injury, he played for
Ariah Park-
Mirrool and later
Coolamon in the
Riverina Football League before he was approached by the
Essendon Football Club to play for them in 1986. == VFL/AFL career ==