South Sydney Rabbitohs are set to honour Jai Arrow with a permanent sports monument, celebrating the courage, loyalty and remarkable spirit he has shown both on and off the rugby league field.
In a gesture befitting a player whose impact has gone far beyond statistics and victories, the Rabbitohs and those closest to Arrow have jointly agreed to erect a life-size commemorative monument in his honour outside the club’s home and training precinct. The proposed sculpture will capture Arrow standing proudly in his Rabbitohs colours, symbolising his contribution to the cardinal and myrtle and his enduring place in the history of the club.
The announcement comes after one of the most emotional periods in recent NRL history, culminating in Arrow reaching his 100-game milestone for South Sydney. Diagnosed with motor neurone disease earlier this year, Arrow had initially retired from rugby league, but the NRL granted special dispensation allowing him to return for the final stages of the regular season and reach the century.
His 100th appearance against the Sydney Roosters became much more than a rugby league match. More than 40,000 supporters witnessed Arrow walk onto Allianz Stadium alongside his teammates and club figures before handing over his place in the match. The occasion brought together players, supporters and rivals in an extraordinary demonstration of respect.
The emotional scenes were made even more powerful by the support surrounding Arrow in the days leading up to the milestone. At his previous appearance against the Gold Coast Titans, supporters sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as Arrow entered the field, creating a moment that quickly spread beyond Australia and became a symbol of solidarity for the rugby league community.
There have also been heartfelt calls for people to keep Jai Arrow and his family in their prayers as he continues his battle with MND. For many supporters, the prayers have become another way of standing beside the Rabbitohs forward during an extraordinarily difficult chapter of his life.
That message of prayer, hope and unity has now become inseparable from Arrow’s story. His fight has inspired supporters not simply to celebrate the footballer he has been, but to appreciate the person behind the jersey—a husband, father, teammate and friend who has continued to show extraordinary determination despite the challenges he faces.
The proposed monument would therefore represent much more than a sporting statue. It would serve as a permanent reminder of resilience, friendship and the bond between a player and the club he represented with pride.
Arrow joined South Sydney in 2021 and became an important figure in the Rabbitohs’ forward pack. His physicality, work rate and willingness to put his body on the line made him a favourite among supporters and teammates. But his latest chapter has demonstrated qualities that cannot be measured on a statistics sheet.
Close friend and teammate Cody Walker has been particularly prominent in supporting Arrow throughout the emotional milestone. Walker helped accompany him onto the field during the recent tributes, while teammates have continued to treat Arrow as one of their own rather than allowing his illness to define their relationship with him.
The symbolism of the proposed monument is especially powerful because it would show Arrow standing—not as a figure defined by illness, but as the proud Rabbitohs player and warrior supporters have known throughout his career.
The sculpture would stand as a place where fans could stop, reflect and remember his contribution to South Sydney. A plaque could carry his name alongside words celebrating his commitment, courage and loyalty, ensuring future generations understand why his story became one of the most powerful chapters in modern Rabbitohs history.
Arrow’s 100th game itself already created a moment that will remain in rugby league memory. The Rabbitohs went on to defeat the Roosters 50–20, but the scoreline was almost secondary to the emotional significance of the night.
Now, through the proposed monument, that memory could live permanently beyond the final whistle.
For a player who has given so much to South Sydney, the message behind the tribute is simple: Jai Arrow will never walk alone.
His battle continues, the prayers continue, and so does the love of the Rabbitohs community.
JAI ARROW — RABBITOHS FOREVER. ❤️💚
IN HONOUR OF JAI ARROW: RABBITOHS TO IMMORTALISE CLUB WARRIOR WITH SPECIAL MONUMENT
South Sydney Rabbitohs have jointly agreed to honour Jai Arrow with a permanent sports monument, recognizing a player whose courage, loyalty and character have made an extraordinary impact on the club and the wider rugby league community.
The proposed life-size sculpture will depict Arrow standing proudly in his Rabbitohs colours outside the club’s home precinct, creating a lasting symbol of a man whose contribution to South Sydney has extended far beyond what he achieved on the football field.
The tribute comes at an incredibly emotional time for Arrow, following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) earlier this year. His diagnosis brought an abrupt and heartbreaking end to his playing career, but the rugby league community has rallied around him and his family with an extraordinary show of love and support.
A monument built on courage, not just football
The proposed monument is expected to represent much more than Arrow’s achievements as a rugby league player. It will symbolise his courage, determination, friendship and the connection he developed with Rabbitohs supporters during his time at the club.
Rather than portraying Arrow in a moment of physical struggle, the sculpture will show him standing tall in his Rabbitohs jersey, with the football in hand—a powerful representation of the player supporters have known and loved.
The image of Arrow standing is particularly significant because of his own recent comments about the progression of his condition. In August, he revealed that he could no longer run and would have to walk onto the field for his special return appearances. Despite the devastating circumstances, Arrow remained determined to embrace the opportunity.
The prayers that have surrounded Jai
One of the most touching parts of Arrow’s journey has been the enormous wave of prayers and messages of support from supporters, teammates, former players and people across the rugby league community.
Following his diagnosis, Arrow personally thanked those who had reached out to him and his family, saying their kindness, prayers and support had helped them through an incredibly difficult period. He also vowed to fight for his daughter, his family and friends, as well as to inspire other people living with MND.
The call for continued prayers has remained an important part of the support surrounding him. Supporters have repeatedly urged the rugby league community to keep Jai, his family and everyone affected by MND in their thoughts and prayers.
NRL.com also reported the strength of that support, with Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray describing Arrow as an extraordinary person and saying the entire rugby league community was behind him. NSW player Blayke Brailey similarly called on people to send their love and prayers to Arrow during the difficult period.
A remarkable 100-game farewell
The proposed monument follows another extraordinary chapter in Arrow’s career.
With Arrow sitting on 98 Rabbitohs appearances, South Sydney successfully sought special approval from the NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association for him to return for the club’s final two regular-season matches. The arrangement allowed him to lead the team onto the field before being replaced in the opening moments.
That extraordinary decision allowed Arrow to reach 100 first-grade appearances for South Sydney, joining an exclusive group of Rabbitohs players to achieve the milestone.
His 100th appearance against the Sydney Roosters became an emotional celebration of his career and his battle with MND. The Rabbitohs produced a huge 50–20 victory, but the result was almost secondary to the significance of seeing Arrow back on the field wearing the cardinal and myrtle.
A legacy that will stand forever
The monument would give future generations a physical place to remember Arrow’s story.
For supporters walking past it, the statue would not simply represent a former NRL forward. It would represent a father, teammate, friend and fighter who continued to show courage when confronted with circumstances no athlete should have to face.
- It would also preserve the remarkable relationship between Arrow and the Rabbitohs faithful—a relationship that became even stronger during the most difficult period of his life.
The proposed sculpture could ultimately become a gathering point for supporters, a place where fans can pay tribute, reflect on his career and continue the message that has surrounded him throughout his MND journey.
The footballer may have been forced to leave the field, but his legacy does not leave with him.
Jai Arrow’s story has become bigger than rugby league. It is now a story about courage, family, friendship, faith, prayer and the strength of a community standing together.
And if the monument goes ahead, every time supporters see Jai Arrow standing proudly outside the Rabbitohs’ home, it will carry one unmistakable message:
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