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NRL, AFL plans to honour Jai Arrow revealed after MND diagnosis
By Sam Kosack
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Retired NRL forward Jai Arrow will be honoured at the AFL's King's Birthday following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
Arrow's decorated NRL career came to an end last month after he publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with MND, the same disease the late Neale Daniher recently passed from.
The 2025 Australian of the Year spent 13 years battling MND, founding the annual Big Freeze event in support of FightMND, which has raised over $115 million since its inception.
The Big Freeze occurs annually at the AFL's King's Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood and will be the first since Daniher's passing.
Arrow will be the special guest of Collingwood at the event and has been invited to toss the coin before the match, per SEN's Tom Morris.
The invitation comes as the NRL plans to throw the "world's biggest birthday party" for Arrow, who's birthday is on July 12.
Arrow's 31st birthday falls on the same day as a South Sydney Rabbitohs home game; his final club.
It's one of many initiatives planned for Arrow, with an NRL-wide 'Jai July', a spin on 'Try July' in the works after receiving support from NRL players and fans.
The 'Try July' initiative has been a popular one in previous years, however, was set to be scrapped this year due to its backing by sports gambling companies.
Instead, NRL players will likely fundraise for Arrow and his family during July.
The former QLD forward will also be celebrated at the Rabbitohs next home game, according to Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly.
“We’re really looking forward to celebrating Jai’s career and his contribution to the club at our match against the Broncos next week in front of our fans and members,” Solly told News Corp.
“After that, we will be looking to continue to support Jai’s fight with a series of fundraising initiative and events including the July 12 match.
“We know that Jai is in for the fight and everyone at our club and across the game is committed to supporting him, Berina and Ayla as much as we can.”
