The Agenda Setters Rugby League on Channel 7: Jai Arrow opens up – Jai Arrow has opened up about his emotional return to the field, the support around him and his determination to raise awareness for motor neurone disease.
Arrow joined Corey Parker, David Riccio, Aaron Woods and Luke Keary on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League on Channel 7 and 7plus. He reflected on the scenes at Allianz Stadium and the response from fans, teammates and family.
The interview gave Seven’s rugby league panel show one of its most human moments of the season. It moved beyond match analysis and into a story about resilience, family and the wider rugby league community.
Arrow said the support he has received across the past four months had been overwhelming. He said the crowd reaction left him proud, emotional and honoured.
He also spoke about Wayne Bennett. Arrow said there was no better person to help him through this period, adding that he never thought he would get the chance to play again.
Cody Walker was another focus of the discussion. Arrow described him as someone he is close to and someone who has had his back since Arrow moved to Sydney.
Arrow also reflected on the moment he received his diagnosis. He said he had known something was wrong since November, but did not hear the words motor neurone disease until May.
Rather than panic in that moment, Arrow said he felt relief. He finally knew what he was dealing with and could ask what came next.
He told the panel he made a promise to himself that he would never ask, “why me”. He said his daughter Isla had become his greatest strength and the reason he refused to give in.
Arrow said sharing the field with Isla, his wife, his family and the NRL community was deeply special. He said he held himself together until he saw his daughter, when the emotion of the moment took over.
The interview then turned to the public impact of his diagnosis. Arrow said he is now in the best mental state he has been in, taking each day as it comes and focusing on the awareness being generated around MND.
He also acknowledged the legacy of Neale Daniher’s work in raising awareness for MND. Arrow said he had met Daniher’s family and hoped to make his own contribution in his own way.
The Agenda Setters: Rugby League airs on Channel 7 and 7plus.
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