Nathan Charles and Jai Arrow honoured with stadium tribute and star performances
Two athletes with motor neurone disease received a grand final stadium tribute.
The NRL grand final crowd rose to honour Arrow, a retired South Sydney star, and Charles, a former Wallaby. Jai Arrow and Nathan Charles were both diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2026.
Arrow reached 100 caps before retiring in May; Charles announced his diagnosis on Thursday at age 37. Amy Shark sang You'll Never Walk Alone as the pair were driven around the stadium, waving to fans.
Screaming Jets singer Dave Gleeson and Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson also performed. The NRL donated one million dollars to help children access rugby league programs.
- 2026
- Diagnosis year
- May 2026
- Arrow's retirement
- 37
- Charles' age at diagnosis
- 1 million dollars
- NRL donation
Why it mattersTwo athletes facing a terminal illness received public recognition of their impact on sport and their bravery, while the game committed serious funding to growing the next generation.
AustraliaThe tribute showed how Australian sport rallies around its own; the million-dollar donation will expand rugby league access for kids across the country.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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