+34
A planned Jai Arrow tribute at the NRL grand final is criticised as contrived, while former Wallaby Nathan Charles, who has MND, continues to inspire with his courage and a GoFundMe has been launched.
A tribute to Jai Arrow will be the core feature of the pre-game show at the NRL grand final, but the plan has drawn criticism as feeling contrived and potentially exploitative.
Jai Arrow Tribute Draws Criticism
The South Sydney club, Arrow himself, and the wider league community have handled the tragedy of his motor neurone disease diagnosis magnificently. Footballers across the country, from all codes, have mimed firing an arrow after scoring in heartfelt, spontaneous and organic gestures of support. Arrow was given dispensation to make his 99th and 100th appearances for Souths, walking out for the final time in a Rabbitohs jersey at the last game of the season against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Arrow and his family received a standing ovation as they entered the field. That moment was once-in-a-lifetime, where people wept and were reminded of how wonderful the sports community can be at its best, coming together to honour one of its own cherished sons. But to attempt a twice-in-a-lifetime moment, with Arrow doing another lap at Homebush on Sunday as Amy Shark sings the same song, feels like something an NRL crisis meeting came up with after the fact.
The meeting needed someone to say: Guys, I know your hearts are in the right place. But seriously, Nah. That would feel too contrived, and possibly even exploitative. We cannot use someone's medical condition and the emotion it generates in place of the entertainment slot.
Souths have already done it, and it was brilliant and deeply moving because it was pure and genuine. This would risk taking that purity and using it as a stopgap to cover for our own stuff-up in not having an act, while the AFL got Kylie. It would be at least a bit off. Honouring Jai is a great idea.
Having a pre-match show is a must. But making them one and the same thing is awkward.
Nathan Charles Faces MND
Meanwhile, former Wallaby Nathan Charles, who was born with cystic fibrosis and went on to a hugely successful rugby career, has been diagnosed with MND at age 37. Back in 2013, for a school project, Katarina Welborn, daughter of former Wallaby John Welborn, interviewed Charles as he pushed towards his first Wallabies selection. The most confronting question I have ever been asked is the one about life expectancy, he replied. Thirty-seven is just a number.
I have never let myself be defined by it. When I think about the future, I do not think about the life expectancy. I cannot see myself declining in health any time soon. I have so many hopes and dreams, and I do not let that number interfere.
Professionally, my hope was to play for the Wallabies and do my country, friends and family proud. At the moment, I want to keep doing what I love, and that is rugby. Nathan did all that and more. Despite the diagnosis and having to consume an array of pills every day, he played as a hooker for all of Knox, CAS, Australian Schoolboys, Canterbury Bulldogs SG Ball, Sydney University, Western Force, Gloucester, Wasps, Bath, Clermont-Auvergne, Melbourne Rebels and the Wallabies.
Due to be married next year, all seemed set for a great post-rugby life. My first question, he told Justin Harrison on Stan, was, How long have I got? I really only know what you see and hear about MND. I know every person with MND has a different journey and path, and it affects everyone differently.
I know there is no cure, and your physicality and body deteriorate, cutting your life short. I am already greatly impacted. I get around with mobility aids and struggle with many daily tasks. Putting on shoes and socks is a challenge.
My initial mindset was, I am now doing things for the last time. Instead, I really want to flip the script and say, I want to start doing things for the first time. You are going to have your challenging days, and understanding that allows you to reset and say, Righto mate, today is today, what are you going to do with it?
MND Impact on Football Raises Questions
Questions are being asked more frequently about whether there is a connection between MND and football, with seemingly more and more professionals being diagnosed. A GoFundMe page has been set up in Nathan's name to help with the huge medical costs to come, and we of the Cauliflower Club will be kicking in. Nathan will be coming to our Bledisloe lunch on the day before the Sydney Test where we, too, will show him the love.
On the grand final itself, if the Roosters win, the people of the Eastern Suburbs will be mostly very pleased, some thrilled. If the Knights win, the entire Hunter region will lose its nut and be delirious for months. The Knights tribe is impossible not to like and admire. They have stayed with the team through thick and thin, turned up, roared themselves hoarse, and are a cut above when it comes to sportsmanship.
Penrith's Nathan Cleary was stretchered from the field last Sunday after Phoenix Crossland's tackle went wrong and broke his ankle. In a true act of sportsmanship, Knights fans rose as one to their feet to clap the champion halfback from the field. Stand by for one of the best Australian sports stories ever, and not a fairytale in sight.
Please follow us on Google to support us
theage 
smh:Stand by for one of the best Australian sports stories ever … and not a fairytale in sightThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Nathan Charles MND Diagnosis Rugby League Community Support Motor Neurone Disease And Football Knights Roosters Grand Final
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nathan Cleary Wins First Dally M Medal as Tamika Upton Takes Third NRLW AwardPenrith halfback Nathan Cleary has won his first Dally M Medal, while Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton claimed her third NRLW player of the year award in four seasons.
Read more »
Dally M night: Ivan Cleary blames blurred coach-dad line after Nathan's horror injuryPenrith coach Ivan Cleary has opened up about Nathan Cleary's season-ending leg injury, his son's contract future and his own coaching retirement after a dramatic Dally M night.
Read more »
Nathan Charles, only cystic fibrosis sufferer to play rugby professionally, diagnosed with MNDFormer Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles, who is believed to be the only person with cystic fibrosis to play a contact sport professionally, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and is planning a foundation to help young people build resilience.
Read more »
Former Wallaby Nathan Charles diagnosed with motor neurone disease at 37Nathan Charles, the first cystic fibrosis sufferer to play contact sport professionally, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The 37-year-old won four caps for Australia and played for the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.
Read more »