- The Big Freeze raises millions for motor neurone diseases
- A host of Australian athletes and artists took the glacial leap
- The MCG was a sea of blue as fans adorned their FightMND hats
AFL legend Neale Daniher’s battle with motor neurone disease (MND) took center stage at Monday’s annual Big Freeze event, which saw stars including Pat Rafter and Sally Pearson take the plunge.
Daniher, who played for Essendon before an illustrious 223-game coaching career with the Demons, was diagnosed with MND in 2013 and has dedicated his remaining years to raising awareness and funds for the disease.
The Big Freeze has become a big tradition in the annual Queens’ Birthday clash between the Magpies and Demons, and this year featured stars such as Rafter, Pearson, Meg Lanning and James Brayshaw.
The first slider of the day was Nic Naitanui dressed as Bob Marley (Buffalo Soldier), dressed in Jamaican colors and dressed in a Cool Runnings jumpsuit.
Nic Naitanui started off in a Bob Marley-Cool Runnings-inspired outfit
Olympic champion Sally Pearson was next out dressed as Madonna, screaming as she went down the slide.
“She (Madonna) was one of my idols when I was a little girl and dreamed of being a pop star,” she said.
James Brayshaw was next to take the step dressed as rock star Axl Rose.
‘You never told me it would be THAT bad!’ He said she then took a deep breath.
Olympian Sally Pearson was next to slide dressed as her childhood idol, Madonna.
James Brayshaw shined as Guns ‘N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose
Brayshaw was surprised by how cold the water was and said he didn’t expect it to be “this bad.”
Cricket superstar Meg Lanning was next to slide in dressed as Tina Turner and almost flip over when she landed in the water.
“Last night I was thinking about how it was going to happen all night, but I hope it turned out well,” he said.
It was hard to miss football legend Joel Selwood wearing a bright pink suit and dressed as British musician Robbie Williams.
Selwood said he was more of a fan of spas than ice baths, but he still went down the slide in hilarious fashion.
Cricket superstar Meg Lanning was simply the best dressed as Tina Turner
Soccer star Erin Philips said she was a big fan of pop star P!nk and it didn’t disappoint.
Olympic gold medalist Mack Horton arrived dressed as Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett.
Jack Riewoldt was next off the slide dressed as Brandon Flowers from The Killers.
Olympic swimming gold medalist Mack Horton was next dressed as Midnight Oil lead singer Peter Garrett.
Although he is used to cold water, Horton said the ice bath was too much and really took his breath away.
Former Richmond striker Jack Riewoldt was next to slide in dressed as The Killers’ Brandon Flowers, his wig flying as he hit the water.
Soccer star Erin Philips was next to step up and appeared in one of the best costumes as pop star P!nk.
‘I applied for (a trapeze) but we couldn’t finish it in time, maybe next time!’ she said.
Pat Rafter put his heart and soul into his AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson look
Rafter lost his wig in the water, but was happy to help a good cause.
Perhaps Australia’s most beloved athlete, Pat Rafter, was last, coming out dressed as AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson, with Thunderstruck playing.
“It’s all for a great cause: having a little fun here,” Rafter said. “And we can top it off with a nice cold ice bath. Anyway, I need to shower.”