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Jai Arrow and Nathan Charles, both diagnosed with motor neuron disease this year, were honoured with a lap of Stadium Australia before the NRL grand final as fans made the arrow gesture and Australian artists performed.
Retired rugby league star Jai Arrow and former Wallaby Nathan Charles were honoured with an emotional lap of Stadium Australia before the NRL grand final.
Arrow and Charles Honoured Together
Both men were diagnosed with motor neuron disease this year. Tens of thousands of fans made the arrow gesture as the pair drove past. Arrow was forced into retirement following his diagnosis, rocking the Australian sporting community. The month of July had been dedicated to him, with NRL players making the arrow gesture after scoring.
He and Charles were driven around the ground on a vehicle that looked like a combination of a motorbike and car. Australian artists Amy Shark, Dave Gleeson and Phil Jamieson performed during the tribute. Shark began with a stirring rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone as Arrow and Charles started their lap. The song, made famous by Gerry and the Pacemakers and adopted by Liverpool FC as its official motto, has featured heavily in tributes to Arrow.
MND Fight and Message
Before the performance, a recorded message from legendary broadcaster and NRL Hall of Fame member Ray Warren encouraged fans to stand and make an arrow in support of the NRL great. He said the fight against MND had reached far beyond the football field and touched the hearts of millions around the world. Warren said Arrow continues to inspire others facing difficult times.
Warren also said the way Arrow faced the challenge with his head held high showed what true bravery looks like. He said this is what the game is about: strength, courage, community and making sure someone is there when life gets tough. He added that one million dollars would go to underprivileged children who cannot afford to play rugby league so every kid with a dream gets to chase it.
Artists Unite for Tribute
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 front man Phil Jamieson then joined Shark and Gleeson on stage to end the tribute with the Tina Turner rugby league anthem The Best. The pre-match show had become a huge talking point due to fallout with Tones and I, but Shark stepped up along with a host of Aussie artists.
Shark was supported by members of Grinspoon, The Screaming Jets and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, as well as one half of electronic duo Peking Duk. Peking Duk, which consists of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles, shut down talk they were performing on Sunday morning before Styles later revealed he was performing solo.
Funding and Mixed Reactions
The NRL pledged one million dollars, which was to be spent on pre-match entertainment, to help underprivileged kids who cannot afford to play rugby league, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'Landys told the ABC this week. While fans in the stadium appeared to enjoy the show, it drew a mixed reception on social media. One person said it was literally the worst pre-game show they had ever watched.
Another said the motorbike was probably the best bit of the pre-game entertainment. One fan said that people could hate Peter V'Landys if they wanted, but they were into it. The crowd rose as Arrow and Charles went around on the back of the vehicle while Shark sang the iconic song, with thousands making the arrow gesture as prompted by Warren.
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abcnews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
NRL Grand Final Jai Arrow Amy Shark Motor Neurone Disease Accor Stadium Jai Arrow Tribute Motor Neuron Disease Amy Shark Performance Nathan Charles
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