Sally Pearson expresses herself, Nic Natanui pay homage to TWO Jamaican legends and Pat Rafter gets Thunderstruck at the Big Freeze At The G
- The Big Freeze raises millions for motor neuron diseases
- A large number of Australian athletes and entertainers took the icy plunge
- The MCG was a sea of blue as fans decorated their FightMND hats
AFL legend Neale Daniher’s battle with motor neurone disease (MND) took center stage at the annual Big Freeze event on Monday, with stars including Pat Rafter and Sally Pearson taking 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 money for the disease.
The Big Freeze has become a big tradition at the annual Queen’s Birthday clash between the Magpies and Demons, and this year saw stars including Rafter, Pearson, Meg Lanning and James Brayshaw.
The first slider of the day was Nic Naitanui, dressed as Bob Marley (Buffalo Soldier), draped in Jamaican colors and wearing a Cool Runnings unitard.
Nic Naitanui kicked things off in a Bob Marley-Cool Runnings inspired outfit
Olympic champion Sally Pearson came off the blocks next, dressed as Madonna, screaming as she slid down the slide.
“She (Madonna) was one of my idols when I was a little girl who dreamed of being a pop star,” she said.
James Brayshaw was the next to take the plunge, dressed as rock star Axl Rose.
“You never told me it would be this bad!” He said next as he took a deep breath.
Olympian Sally Pearson was next on the slide, dressed as her childhood idol, Madonna
James Brayshaw played the role of Guns ‘N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose
Brayshaw was shocked by how cold the water was and said he didn’t expect it to be “this bad.”
Cricket superstar Meg Lanning was next down the slide as she was dressed as Tina Turner and almost turned when she landed in the water.
“I spent all night last night thinking about how it was going to happen, but hopefully it went well,” she said.
Footy legend Joel Selwood was hard to miss, wearing a bright pink suit and dressing up 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.
Cricker superstar Meg Lanning was simply best dressed as Tina Turner
Footy star Erin Philips said she was a big fan of pop star P!nk and she didn’t disappoint
Olympic gold medalist Mack Horton came dressed as Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett
Jack Riewoldt came down the slide next, dressed as Brandon Flowers from The Killers
Olympic gold medalist Mack Horton was then dressed as Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett.
Although he’s used to cold water, Horton said the ice bath was a bit much and took his breath away.
Ex-Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt was next down the slide, dressed as The Killers’ Brandon Flowers – and his wig flew off when he hit the water.
Footy star Erin Philips was the next to take the plunge and came out in one of the best costumes as pop star P!nk.
‘I did request (a trapeze) but we couldn’t get it done in time – maybe the next one!’ 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 loved athlete, Pat Rafter, was the last and he came out dressed as AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson as Thunderstruck played.
“It’s all for a good cause, having a little fun out here,” Rafter said. “And to top it all off, we get a nice cold ice bath, I have to take a shower anyway.”