Tens of thousands of fans have united by making the arrow gesture during a moving pre-grand final lap by the NRL’s Jai Arrow and former Wallaby Nathan Charles, who were both diagnosed with motor neuron disease this year.
Arrow, who had the month of July dedicated to him when NRL players would make the arrow gesture after scoring, was forced into retirement following his diagnosis, rocking the Australian sporting community.
Charles, who played four rugby union Tests for Australia, revealed his diagnosis this week.
The pair were driven around Stadium Australia before the NRL grand final, with Australian music artists Amy Shark, Dave Gleeson and Phil Jamison performing.
Shark began with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone as Arrow and Charles began their lap.
Amy Shark performs as the NRL pay tribute to Jai Arrow and Nathan Charles. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor)
Thousands in the crowd did the arrow gesture as they drove past, as prompted in a pre-packaged video by NRL Hall of Fame member Ray Warren.
“Jai’s fight against MMD has reached far beyond the football field,” Warren said.
“He has and continues to inspire others facing difficult times.
“The way Jai has faced this challenge with his head held high is showing us what true bravery really looks like.
“This is what our game is about. Strength, courage, community and making sure when life gets tough someone is there beside you.”
After Shark sang You’ll Never Walk Alone, Newcastle legend Dave Gleeson walked onto Stadium Australia to sing What’s Up? by 4 Non Blondes.
Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson then joined Shark and Gleeson to end the tribute with the famous Tina Turner rugby league anthem, The Best.
The tribute came after the NRL’s negotiations to secure Tones And I fell through.
The NRL has pledged $1 million, which was to be spent on pre-match entertainment, to help underprivileged kids who can not afford to play rugby league play rugby league,” Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’Landys told the ABC this week.
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