Community generosity shines for Jords' Big Freeze
Community generosity outshone even the return of dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe in Claremont on Saturday as nearly $100,000 was raised for motor neurone disease during Jordan's DIY Big Freeze.
Sporting legends united ahead of the Tigers' WAFL clash with Peel Thunder, braving torrential downpours before hitting the ice water to support local father Jordan Early.
Mr Early was diagnosed with MND just five months ago, but the disease has already stolen his strength and part of his speech.
'I got weaker, I started to struggle with my speech, not as bad as it is now, but those were the first signs,' he said. Olympian Jayde Taylor goes down the slide. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
'It's a battle every day, because it's degenerative, things are changing all the time. So you might lose one function, but something else shows up.'
The 42-year-old is a father to three young children, alongside partner Jo Moullin, including one who attends school alongside AFLW legend and current West Coast women's coach Daisy Pearce's twins. Jordan Early and Jo Moullin. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
Pearce, a seasoned slider after being a part of the inaugural Big Freeze in Melbourne in support of AFL champion Neale Daniher, was one of the first to sign on to support the Early family.
'Sebby, their eldest son, goes to school with my twins, and it's an amazing community. To see Jo and Jords with everything they're going through with their three kids is pretty eye-opening, and I want to do everything I can to support them,' Pearce said ahead of the event. AFLW West Coast coach Daisy Pearce. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian
'To watch a family like theirs go through it is terrible, but to see their strength and courage as they do and to think about everything they're battling as a family with three young kids (is inspiring).
'To see their generosity and their spirit to give what they can and to inspire people to do what they can to ensure future families don't go through what they are is so humbling.' Freddie Davies 5yo enjoying the puddles at Claremont Oval. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
The big-name sliders didn't end with Pearce, as the initiative raised about $93,000.
Eagles legend and current head of football at the battling club, John Worsfold, donned a skirt and tennis racket as he went down the slide. John Worsfold slides. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
Former tennis star Alicia Molik sported perhaps the most popular outfit, emulating rising star Harley Reid in a headband and West Coast jumper.
2006 Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley continued the trend of Eagles to head down the slide, dressing as Australian children's cartoon favourite Bluey. Rudy Davies 2yo enjoying the puddles at Claremont Oval. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
West Coast have been a staunch supporter of fundraising for MND, given Daniher's connection to the club as well as the fact that he was working there when he was diagnosed.
Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning Hockeyroo Jade Taylor, the first down the slide, also took inspiration from the younger generation, dressing as Minnie Mouse. Alicia Molik heads into the water. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
The end of the sliding didn't deter the strong crowd from sticking around as Fremantle champion Fyfe returned from a calf injury with Peel.
The 33-year-old wasn't fussed with the thick mud and rain, standing head and shoulders above the competition, collecting 28 disposals, six tackles and five clearances in a little more than a half of footy. Nat Fyfe in action. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
He was also a favourite among the fans, taking time to sign footballs on his way off the water-logged ground at half-time before taking photos and having a brief chat with fans post-game, his documentary crew never far away.
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