Jai Arrow was one of the hardest men in the NRL and, as he faces the hardest challenge of his life after a shock motor neurone disease diagnosis, the rugby league community as done what it does best — help a mate in need.

At just 30 years of age, Arrow should still be in the middle of his football journey. Instead, he now faces the toughest battle of his life.

The Maroons veteran, who was part of three winning series, the most recent in 2023, gave it his all for his club and state.

He was the bloke who never took a backward step, who played through pain, who gave everything for his teammates and who carried the sort of infectious energy every club dream of having around the sheds.

That’s why his MND diagnosis and subsequent immediate retirement feels so deeply unfair.

Yet in the middle of his heartbreaking circumstances Arrow has already shown extraordinary bravery.

It would have been understandable for him to retreat from public view, to deal with the devastating news privately surrounded by family and his closest friends.

Instead, he fronted the cameras at a highly charged press conference, where, while he let Souths CEO Blake Solly read out a statement on his behalf, his emotional reaction as the words were read out said it all.

Two football codes. Two much-loved figures. One heartbreaking disease that continues to affect far too many Australians.

What has followed since the news broke has been a reminder of what rugby league does so well when one of its own is hurting.

Support has poured in from every corner of the game. Rivalries have been forgotten, and club colours no longer matter.

Queenslanders, New South Welshmen, Rabbitohs, Titans fans and players across the competition have united behind Arrow and his family.

The rugby league community has always prided itself on loyalty and toughness, but moments like this show its compassion as well. On Sunday, the North Queensland Cowboys raised $50,000 for the fight MND charity at their game. The game marked the first match for the Rabbitohs following Arrow’s announcement.

He joined the Queensland camp in Sydney this week to lift his spirits and remind him how loved he is within the game.

Billy Slater described Arrow as the “life of the party” and someone who had always brought energy and connection to the group.

Rugby league will always have Arrow’s back.

Whether it’s former teammates checking in, clubs rallying around him, fans raising awareness for MND research or the wider sporting public standing beside him, we refuse to let him walk through this fight alone.

This support matters because MND is one of the cruellest illnesses imaginable.

The victim slowly loses control of their body while their brain function mostly remains intact, making it an excruciating disease to suffer.

It is devastating not only for the person diagnosed, but for the loved ones around them.

Arrow’s diagnosis came days before the passing of AFL legend Neale Daniher this week. Daniher became the face of the fight against MND after his diagnosis in 2013 and spent more than a decade inspiring Australians with his resilience, humour and determination.

Through FightMND and the annual Big Freeze campaign he helped raise well over $100 million for research and support services, turning awareness into action and giving hope to thousands of families confronting the disease.

Even while battling what he famously called “the Beast”, Daniher carried himself with both positivity and unbelievable strength.

In many ways, his legacy now becomes part of Arrow’s journey too.

Two football codes. Two much-loved figures. One heartbreaking disease that continues to affect far too many Australians.

But if there is one thing both men remind us, it is the incredible power of community.

Sport can often divide us into tribal loyalties on weekends, but moments like this bring people together in the most important way possible.

Arrow’s toughest fight has only just begun. There will be difficult days ahead.

But there is no question that the rugby league world (and the wider Australian sporting community) will stand shoulder to shoulder with him every step of the way.