Matt Shirvington's $10k promise steals the show at Neale Daniher's Big Freeze 11

7NEWS

09-06-2025

Channel 7 superstar and former sprinter Matt Shirvington has pledged to keep his Thor costume on after braving the elements at the annual Big Freeze ahead of the King's Birthday blockbuster between Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG.
Now in its 11th year, another 10 identities from the sporting world took the icy plunge as AFL icon and Australian of the Year Neale Daniher, the driving force behind the initiative, watched on.
The theme this year was iconic Australians and while some of the sliders could have gone as themselves, they each went all out.
Shirvo went down as Thor, played by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, and promised to stay in character for his return flight to Sydney.
'You're getting on a plane in a moment. I had someone say if you stay in the Thor uniform and do not have a shower, they will donate $10,000,' commentator Hamish McLachlan said to Shirvo.
He only took a moment to contemplate the dare before agreeing.
'If they let me through security, 10 grand to the cause, Neale, hopefully we will make it happen, hey?' Shirvo said.
Olympic legend Ariarne Titmus went down as Olivia Newton-John's Sandra Dee from Grease, while netball superstar Lez Ellis paid tribute to Magda Szubanski's iconic Sharon character from Kath and Kim.
There was also The Joker, Barbie, and even a double Max Gawn. The Big Freeze continues to raise money for FightMND. Check out all other sliders below and head here to donate.
Ariarne Titmus
The Olympic legend dressed up as Sandra Dee, the iconic character from Grease played by Australian actress Olivia Newton-John.
She had chills, and they were multiplying when she emerged from the icy pool.
'It's actually quite refreshing,' she said.
'I truly believe if everyone had a little bit ofNeale's motivation and positivity, the world would be a better place.'
Cadel Evans
The Tour de France champion and four-time Olympian donned a skull cap and fake beard for his perfect 'shrunken' Max Gawn impersonation.
The real Gawn took time out of his pre-match preparation to speak to Evans after the slide.
'I think his worst day on the bike is way better than my best day on the footy field,' Gawn said with a laugh.
Peter Daicos
The Collingwood champion nailed his impersonation of The Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger.
Daicos lived up to his billing as a master entertainer on the field with a couple of special moves.
'No one would be blaming (Daniher) for sitting at home and sitting there in comfort. I mean, he's working for others. How can you say 'no', took me a split nanosecond,' Daicos said.
Matt Nable
The former rugby league player turned actor went down as AC/DC rocker Angus Young.
Complete with a guitar, Nable said he was inspired by his daughter to dress up as the iconic guitarist.
Nable's brother Adam died from MND just over a year ago.
He fought back tears when paying tribute to the cause.
'You know, what I see with Neale Daniher, his fight, he's truly inspiring. A lot of you here wouldn't know what it's like with his family and how hard it is, but he is a truly great Australian and a man of great inspiration. I am so proud and privileged to be here,' he said.
Liz Watson
The netball superstar nailed her impression of Barbie, played by Aussie superstar Margot Robbie.
'A lot colder than I thought,' she said.
'It is an absolute honour. This is such a special day. It is Neale's day. For him to come in there and share with all of us how important this is, it's an absolute honour. Just great to be part of this awesome group.'
Matt Shirvington
The Channel 7 star and former sprinter went down as Thor, played by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth.
Shirvo promised to stay in his uniform on his flight back to Sydney to raise more money for the cause.
'You're getting on a plane in a moment. I had someone say if you stay in the Thor uniform and do not have a shower, they will donate $10,000,' Hamish McLachlan said to Shirvo.
'If they let me through security, 10 grand to the cause, Neale, hopefully we will make it happen, hey?' Shirvo responded.
Alyssa Healy
The captain of the all-conquering Australian cricket team paid tribute to Magda Szubanski's iconic Sharon character from Kath and Kim.
She joked that she had a 'snog' with Shane Warne out the back before taking the slide.
'Really special afternoon. We may have had a snog out the back. Very special to be here, be a part of it, to be Sharon, even better,' she said.
Aaron Davey
The Melbourne great went down as Indigenous AFL legend Michael Long.
He had a puffer jacket on just like Long does for the Long Walk. But the jacket appeared to weigh him down slightly in the pool.
'It actually nearly drowned me just then,' he said.
'Where's Danners? 13 years, never got an ice bath till now. Love you. Massive part of my life. Gave a young man a dream and very fortunate enough to call you family.'
Craig Lowndes
The Supercars icon looked the part in his leather jacket as Mad Max, played by Aussie actor Mel Gibson.
The driver completed a little backflip when he entered the water.
'There's no doubt he and the family are doing a fantastic job. Proud to be here, proud to support it and represent Supercars and I think it doesn't matter where you are, what demographic, you sometimes go through it,' he said.
Mark Taylor
The Australian cricket great went down as former teammate Shane Warne.
'I was lucky enough to play a lot of my career with my late mate. Miss him, but love what he did for this country in sport,' he said.
'Brought slow bowling back into Test match cricket which people love. People here at this ground, right around the world, loved him. As I said to Tim, great to be here to support him and probably more importantly on a day like today, support FightMND and Neale Daniher, also a great Australian.'