NRL great Jai Arrow has been honoured at the AFL’s annual ‘Big Freeze’ event just weeks after he publicly revealed his Motor Neuron Disease diagnosis.
The 2026 Big Freeze was the first without AFL legend Neale Daniher, who passed away from MND late last month.
Daniher was a leading figure in the fight against the incurable disease, and lived for over 13 years with the illness, despite being expected to die in less than three.
But Arrow, 30, has since taken part in this year’s event, and been given the chance to toss the coin before the annual Magpies and Demons clash.
In the lead up to the game, the former Queensland star was also brought into the Collingwood inner sanctum, with coach Craig McRae trying to do his part.
‘He’s going to be in the rooms for the warm-up and be in my meeting. We’re just trying to support him,’ he told Fox Footy.
Jai Arrow (pictured right of Melbourne Demons captain Max Gawn) was a special guest at the Big Freeze
Arrow (pictured with his partner and daughter) made an emotional appearance at the MCG
The 30-year-old (pictured) has been left heartbroken by his diagnosis
‘Neale has planted the seed that there’s hope for others,’ McRae continued.
Arrow’s diagnosis sent shockwaves across the footy world, with both the NRL and AFL communities coming together to support him.
The Big Freeze has raised more than $150million across the last 12 years, and has become an integral part of the AFL calendar.
Arrow’s appearance at the event has come just days before two of his former teams, the Brisbane Broncos, and South Sydney Rabbitohs, pay tribute to him.
Both sides will honour their former star in different ways.
The Broncos have embroidered Arrow’s name and Brisbane player No. 222 into their jerseys for this week’s match.
South Sydney on the other hand, are set to give Jai the honour of ringing their legacy bell before the players are led out.
This won’t be the first time the legacy bell has been rung by a former Bunnies great, with former winger Nathan Merritt, who is battling cancer, doing so earlier this year.
