Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Big Freeze is one of football’s biggest days, and this year will perhaps be its biggest day ever.
After the death of AFL legend Neale Daniher FightMND founder following a 13-year battle with motor neurone disease, the 12th edition of ‘The Big Freeze’ will again create a sea of blue around the MCG.
While the spectacle of Collingwood and Melbourne will headline the King’s Birthday at the MCG, the ice-bath slide has become an event on its own – a perfect precursor on an inspiring day.
Daniher has left behind an incredible legacy and a charity that has so far raised more than $115m for research into the disease he called ‘The Beast’.
On Wednesday, his widow Jan and daughter Bec spoke for the first time publicly since his death on May 25 to a crowd with this year’s Big Freeze beanies on their heads, urging everyone to “play on”.
Bec and Jan spoke in place of Neale, and Bec revealed her last conversation with her dad was about the speech he was planning to give on the day.
“This ‘play on’ mantra for dad was so much more than a footy analogy, it became a way of living,” Bec said.
“The greatest way that we can honour dad now is not by looking backwards, it’s by continuing forwards. So today for dad, let’s play on.”
Speaking to Nova 100’s Jase, Lauren and Clint show on Thursday morning, Bec said it was “really hard” because that speech had always been “dad’s moment”.
“I think there was just a lot of emotions, I just wanted to get through it and do him justice, but to see both clubs come together, you don’t see that often,” she said.
“It was really special, and I know it’s gearing up to be an incredible Monday.”
The AFL and NRL codes will unite as now former South Sydney player Jai Arrow will toss the coin ahead of the game following his own MND diagnosis.
On the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday, all eyes will be on the MCG and the famous Big Freeze slide.
So who’s confirmed to be plunging into the ice bath so far?
Sam Mac – Sunrise weatherman
Andy Lee – Comedian/television presenter
Sam Mostyn – Governor-General of Australia
Nathan Jones – Melbourne Demons legend
Dale “Daisy” Thomas – Former AFL star and current media personality
Jo Weston – Netball champion
Dan Gorringe – AFL media personality
Cooper Woods – Winter Olympian
How can you watch?
Live coverage will start on Seven and 7plus Sport from 2pm AEST, with the first ball-up at 3.20pm.
How can you get involved?
The classic Big Freeze beanies are on sale at Coles and online for $25, with a $20 option available for kids beanies.
You can also donate directly at fightmnd.org and digital beanies can be purchased to help raise funds to go into joining the fight against “the beast”.
A send-off fit for an icon
After his death, the Daniher family accepted an offer from the Victorian state government to hold a state funeral at the MCG on Wednesday June 10 at 1pm.
The 2019 Victorian of the Year and 2025 Australian of the Year will be remembered in a ceremony with tickets available at zero cost.
A live stream of the event will also be available.
“Neale championed resilience and determination in every aspect of his life – as a football player, coach and tireless advocate for MND research,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“Neale has left an incredible legacy and he will be remembered for his generosity, humility and courage.”
