Jai Arrow has hailed the “incredible” support he received from everyone during his emotional 100th game for South Sydney on Friday night, but paid special tribute to coach Wayne Bennett.
Arrow choked back tears when he was hugged by Bennett last Friday night and the Rabbitohs’ bitter rivalry with the Sydney Roosters was put to the side as the clubs came together to pay tribute to the beloved hero.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jai Arrow reflects on emotional farewell
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The 31-year-old father of one was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) this year, but was given approval to play two more matches to get his tally to 100 for Souths.
Arrow led his teammates out to the sound of the Gerry and the Pacemakers rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, with Ron Coote ringing the Rabbitohs’ bell.
The former Queensland State of Origin forward was given a guard of honour by more than 100 Souths old boys, including members of the 2021 grand final squad Arrow was a member of.
Speaking to The Agenda Setters: Rugby League on Monday night, Arrow said he was overwhelmed by the reception, and made special mention to Bennett.
“I think the amount of support that I’ve had over the past four months has made it incredible,” he said.
“And seeing that there for the first time, you know I’m proud. I’m emotional, but truly I’m honoured that there were so many people there cheering me on and obviously my team.
“I think it’s not an ideal situation with what’s going on with me and there’s no better person (than Bennett) to, I suppose, navigate me through this time.
“And him coming up that all day. I never thought I would ever get the chance to play again and its just been and unreal moment.
“He’s been a massive influence on me.”
Arrow also paid tribute to close mate Cody Walker.
“He’s someone who, as I have as well, had his back. And he showed it in the two weeks that I came back to playing, how much I mean to him and how much he means to me,” he added.
Arrow has showed remarkable strength during his unimaginable diagnosis, but sharing last week’s moment with his daughter Ayla sent him over the edge.
“Throughout that period, I thought I held myself together pretty well. Until I saw Ayla. And then I was a blubbering mess,” he said.
“It was very special. And I’m glad that I got to share that moment with her, my wife, my family and, you know, essentially the whole NRL community.”
The 31-year-old also said he is still going into the club every day to complete fitness work, but mainly to “annoy” his teammates.
“We have a cafe there and the owner is doing all my food, so I’m on an anti-inflammatory diet and then I’m going into Pilates. I spin on the bike for 20 minutes. Then into the gym,” he said.
“That’ll be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. And Wednesday will be a massage day, which is ideal, into recovering.
“So I do an ice bath for one minute and sauna for 10. So putting my body under stress isn’t any good for me at the moment. But I’m still in there most days, eating, training, talking absolute crap to the boys and making sure that I’m annoying them.”
Since his devastating diagnosis, Arrow has been around the world, including going to the World Cup final and the Bahamas among many other destinations.
But for Arrow, his biggest highlight is raising awareness for MND.
“I think the most enjoyable thing that I am doing is the amount of awareness that has come from this,” he said.
“So essentially, the end goal is to find a cure. And I’m all for that. And I’ll do everything in my power to help families who are suffering from MND and myself.”
