Rabbitohs skipper throws his support behind ‘Try for Jai’
South Sydney captain Cameron Murray has backed calls for a ‘Try Jai’ initiative to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and support Rabbitoh teammate Jai Arrow after he was diagnosed with the disease.
The announcement of Arrow’s MND diagnosis, which led to his immediate retirement from the sport, shocked the rugby league community this week. The debilitating disease affects nerve cells needed for movements such as walking, swallowing, speaking and breathing.
Former Rabbitohs team-mate Tom Burgess, who lost his father to MND, was the first player to come up with the idea of a themed tour in support of Arrow. Speaking ahead of training in NSW on Saturday morning, Murray also backed the concept.
“Of course. We were boycotting [Try July] We do not support any betting companies in the club anyway.
“If the NRL wants to do something like this and fans like a bit more personality than they normally see when a try is scored it would be a great initiative to get behind the MND research and support Jai in that way if we are all encouraged to do a bit there.
“I think this is a great idea.”
Try July was a promotion that ran for six seasons and was supported by Sportsbet; This promotion donated $5,000 to various causes, including a players’ hardship fund, for every try made during the month. Approximately 2 million dollars were raised. The initiative was shelved due to pushback from clubs, many of whom had formed anti-gambling partnerships or were sponsored by rival betting providers.
Murray, who returned to the Blues after missing last season’s series through injury, spoke about the impact of Arrow’s diagnosis on the club and the community.
“I’m not going to talk too much about Jai, but I will say that he’s shown incredible strength over the last few months, it’s just incredible what he’s been through,” Murray said.
“And the strength he showed in the face of such a brutal disease was incredible.
“He has certainly left his mark on rugby league, especially since he arrived at the club in 2021. He has left his mark on all of us and we are all better people for having known Jai.”
“We’re behind him and it’s really great to see the support he’s received from the wider rugby league community and even beyond that. “I think it speaks to his character and the impact he has on everyone he comes into contact with.
“There is no better man and we are all behind him. We all love him, so we will be with him in this fight.”
“It’s so cruel, life can be pretty cruel sometimes.”
NSW debutant Blayke Brailey also showed his support for “Jai July”.
“I think this would be a great initiative,” he said. “I think if we can all do our part and help in some small or large capacity, I would love to get involved.
“Hopefully the NRL and the clubs can work something out because I think it will be a great initiative for him.”
Brailey said Arrow will have the support of the rugby league community behind him.
“I didn’t have much to do with him, but like everyone else, I was really shocked and saddened by the news,” he said.
“I know Cam, everyone is around him and the Souths team there have our support as well and whether you are a Souths fan or know Jai, you will send him your love and prayers and hopefully he can get through this difficult time.”
