Latest news with #BigFreeze11
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Community generosity shines for Jords' Big Freeze
Shirvo takes the icy plunge at Big Freeze 11 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.
West Australian
12-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
West Coast Eagles rally around Neale Daniher in fight against MND with WA Freeze
West Coast have rallied around the Daniher family ahead of staging the WA Freeze on Sunday during their clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium. Big Freeze 11 was another roaring success during Melbourne and Collingwood's King Birthday clash at the MCG on Monday, and now the Eagles will have their turn to honour the AFL champion. Daniher was working at the club when he was diagnosed with Motor neurone disease in 2013, an incurable illness that causes weakness in the muscles, leading eventually to paralysis. West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan said Sunday would be a special day and that the players were keen to honour Daniher with a strong performance as they hunt their second triumph of the season. 'It's an exciting day; the beanies are one thing, it's obviously very visual, and it's a great cause to be around,' he told club media. 'To be a part of our Freeze game in WA, it's really special. Obviously, the game last week looked super cool from afar with the slide and the quality of game it was. 'To play in that way, that style and the way Danners (Daniher) would have played his footy and coached his footy and the way that he's fought against this beast - that's how we'll be going out to play this game on the weekend.' Channel 7 icon Rick Ardon will lead the Perth personalities to take the icy plunge on Sunday with radio host Kymba Cahill as well as comedian Peter Rowsthorn. Adelaide will also host an SA Freeze in their match with Brisbane at Adelaide Oval. Luke Daniher, Neale's son, said it was good to see the fight against MND still going strong in the place his father's battle began. 'It's amazing to think it is the 11th year, and it's always good to come back to, I guess, where it all began,' he said. '2013, that's when Dad was diagnosed and he was at West Coast. 'It's amazing to have the West Coast team rally around him and it all kicked off with a fundraiser at The Stables with all those at the West Coast Eagles. It's just grown and grown and grown.' Luke urged fans to continue to rally around the cause to help find a cure. 'It's very important to keep the best and brightest minds busy when it comes to the beast of a disease,' he said. 'It impacts everyone differently. Every day, two people are diagnosed with MND, and every day, two people lose their lives, so it's incredibly urgent we do something about it.' 'When it comes to fighting such a beast of a disease, it requires a big army, and it's amazing to have the West Coast Eagles, all the supporters, to get behind the cause and without you, we won't find a cure.'
Perth Now
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eagles rally around Daniher family ahead of WA Freeze
West Coast have rallied around the Daniher family ahead of staging the WA Freeze on Sunday during their clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium. Big Freeze 11 was another roaring success during Melbourne and Collingwood's King Birthday clash at the MCG on Monday, and now the Eagles will have their turn to honour the AFL champion. Daniher was working at the club when he was diagnosed with Motor neurone disease in 2013, an incurable illness that causes weakness in the muscles, leading eventually to paralysis. West Coast co-captain Liam Duggan said Sunday would be a special day and that the players were keen to honour Daniher with a strong performance as they hunt their second triumph of the season. 'It's an exciting day; the beanies are one thing, it's obviously very visual, and it's a great cause to be around,' he told club media. 'To be a part of our Freeze game in WA, it's really special. Obviously, the game last week looked super cool from afar with the slide and the quality of game it was. 'To play in that way, that style and the way Danners (Daniher) would have played his footy and coached his footy and the way that he's fought against this beast - that's how we'll be going out to play this game on the weekend.' Eagles gathering ahead of the WA Freeze with Neale Daniher's son Luke. Credit: West Coast Eagles / Supplied Channel 7 icon Rick Ardon will lead the Perth personalities to take the icy plunge on Sunday with radio host Kymba Cahill as well as comedian Peter Rowsthorn. Adelaide will also host an SA Freeze in their match with Brisbane at Adelaide Oval. Luke Daniher, Neale's son, said it was good to see the fight against MND still going strong in the place his father's battle began. 'It's amazing to think it is the 11th year, and it's always good to come back to, I guess, where it all began,' he said. The AFLW Eagles sport the Big Freeze beanies. Credit: West Coast Eagles / Supplied '2013, that's when Dad was diagnosed and he was at West Coast. 'It's amazing to have the West Coast team rally around him and it all kicked off with a fundraiser at The Stables with all those at the West Coast Eagles. It's just grown and grown and grown.' Luke urged fans to continue to rally around the cause to help find a cure. 'It's very important to keep the best and brightest minds busy when it comes to the beast of a disease,' he said. Liam Ryan with Neale Daniher's son Luke. Credit: West Coast Eagles / Supplied 'It impacts everyone differently. Every day, two people are diagnosed with MND, and every day, two people lose their lives, so it's incredibly urgent we do something about it.' 'When it comes to fighting such a beast of a disease, it requires a big army, and it's amazing to have the West Coast Eagles, all the supporters, to get behind the cause and without you, we won't find a cure.'
7NEWS
09-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Neale Daniher honoured with guard of honour from both teams before King's Birthday clash
Neale Daniher has been honoured by Collingwood, Melbourne and the wider AFL community with an 'incredibly touching' guard of honour before the traditional King's Birthday clash on Monday. The pre-match begun, as always, with the Big Freeze 11 sliders, where Sunrise star Matt Shirvington and Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus led a group of 10 Aussie icons, dressed in the theme of Aussie icons. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Guard of honour formed for Neale Daniher. Then, when the two teams entered the stadium for their last-minute pre-match run-throughs, every Melbourne player ran over to Daniher on the sidelines to each give him their own touch. Minutes later, players from both sides, as well as coaches and umpires, formed a guard of honour for the Australian of the Year, just ahead of the first bounce of the game. Daniher was wheeled through the guard of honour by his son Luke in what was an emotional scene. A sea of the iconic blue beanies formed the backdrop to the guard of honour, which was conducted on the boundary line near the crowd. It was a special touch added to what has already become a landmark event on the Australian sporting calendar. 'This is a magic moment,' Dale Thomas said. Bruce McAvaney added: 'What a football family the Danihers are, and what an Australian family they've become. 'And for Neale, who could have hidden away from this and we wouldn't have seen them for all these years, he has delivered in spades in terms of inspiration.' Kate McCarthy was at ground level when it happened: 'Really emotional scenes just then as both teams gave the guard of honour to Neale Daniher and incredibly touching down here.' Melbourne players get around Neale Daniher before Pies clash
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Every Big Freeze 11 slider takes the plunge
From Ariarne Titmus to Mark Taylor, watch every slider from Big Freeze 11 take the plunge to raise funds and awareness for FightMND.
