West Coast Eagles superstar Nic Naitanui provides opening act for rockstar show to FightMND
Nic Naitanui has paid tribute to his former football manager at West Coast by taking the plunge at the 10th Big Freeze at the ‘G yesterday.
There was a host of rockstar look-a-likes taking the plunge to fight MND prior to yesterday’s Melbourne-Collingwood blockbuster in front of 84,659 fans fate the MCG, but as always it was Neale Daniher who stole the show.
Nine celebrities hit the icy water raising money for FightMND to fund research into a cure for motor neurone disease. The event was pioneered by former Melbourne coach and Essendon star Daniher, who has become a public face of the disease in Australia since he was diagnosed in 2013.
Retired West Coast ruckman Naitanui initially dressed as Bob Marley, then added a touch of Cool Runnings - the movie about the Jamaican bobsled team
![Nic Naitanui goes down the slide for FightMND Big Freeze 10.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-14972030/69fbae7831a8ad26b2f64ab38f2e10cec37d7ff1.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“I thought I’d keep the Jamaican theme going and make sure I can kiss my lucky egg. I’m a fish out of water,” said Naitanui, who’s playing career coincided with Daniher’s stint as West Coast’s football manager from 2008 to 2013.
“What (Neale) Daniher has done over the years is remarkable and he’s an ultimate trooper and I was honoured he invited me down.
![Naitanui after his slide.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-14972030/d05d181163eb4e28c3ea2015fc9edddd55b6ba97.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“I’ve worked really closely with him and it’s amazing to see what he’s done away from the football field and lead so many people.”
Naitanui was followed by Olympic champion Sally Pearson who paid a Madonna tribute before James Brayshaw went down as Guns & Roses frontman Axl Rose.
![James Brayshaw, sports commentator, goes down the slide for FightMND Big Freeze 10.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-14972030/77369ab289305194e2f8ecf7edb63219cf8c4a87.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
However, Brayshaw revealed his costume was orginally prepared in conjunction with former Melbourne star Angus Brayshaw.
“I was going to do with Angus (Brayshaw) who was going to be Slash because he has plenty of hair but he pulled out,” Brayshaw said.
Channel 7 commentator and Geelong legend Joel Selwood imitated Robbie Williams’ pink-suited grand final half-time show look, Mack Horton danced like Peter Garrett and Erin Phillips rocked like P!nk
Former Australian women’s cricket captain Meg Lanning completed the first set of sliders with a Tina Turner costume, while tennis great Pat Rafter also impressed as AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson.
![Joel Selwood as Robbie Williams.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-14972030/bbaf07fe2a24ded417d80353c8c59cb6f5d7ff3a.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
![MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Erin Phillips, former AFL Women’s player, goes down the slide for FightMND Big Freeze 10, ahead of the round 13 AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on June 10, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-14972030/9a9517c833e15bb8b2c3ac9456b9f675adea465b.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
There were high expectations on former Richmond star Jack Riewoldt, given his cousin Nick pulled off arguably the best ever costume when he dressed as Freddie Mercury in 2019.
Riewoldt dressed as Brandon Flowers, frontman of band The Killers, who he famously sang their hit Mr Brightside with on stage after the Tigers’ premiership in 2017.
![Jack Reiwoldt’s ‘Mr Birghtslide’](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-14972030/f1a61a14bd2bbaaa41257c43bbe7f7c5ddf78909.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“I’m fortunate that I’ve been on the big stage at the MCG before,” he said.
“So today I’m Mr Brightslide.”
![Pat Rafter completes the slide.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-14972030/fc753acafa23865b3072396ea8908fa432938a0b.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
“It’s all for a great cause, thanks everyone for coming out and thanks to Neale Daniher you are a legend mate,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, Daniher was greeted by a packed crowd at Federation Square as part of the annual Walk to the ’G ahead of the game.
He was on hand as daughter Bec Daniher pushed the celebrities down a slide into a pool of icy water.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails