KING'S BIRTHDAY saw the AFL community come together once more to support Neale Daniher in his fight against the beast that is Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
In what is now one of the biggest days on the AFL calendar, Big Freeze 9 kicked off at Federation Square where Neale, Bec and the FightMND team gathered with the Demon faithful for the traditional Zurich Walk to the ‘G.
A wave of blue and red stormed the colosseum in preparation for a massive clash, but not before witnessing what would be a memorable edition of the Big Freeze slide.
Australian celebrities across all industries, including Melbourne’s very own Tayla Harris, took to the icy water to show their support for Daniher and his battle.
This year's event also saw both teams create a guard of honour for Daniher as he left the ground, a moment that will forever be remembered as special.
By half time, the $2 million dollar fundraising target was smashed, and once again displayed the ever-giving generosity of the Australian community.
Check out how the day went on socials below:
We’re underway at Federation Square with Robbo kicking things off. ❄️
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 12, 2023
👉 https://t.co/7jfjJxgNXx | #BigFreeze9 pic.twitter.com/eXD6Mq9VVU
📍Fed Square before we March to the 'G#allinforMND #BigFreeze pic.twitter.com/7w36ibILsP
— F I G H T M N D (@FightMND) June 12, 2023
What a man, @NealeDaniher. 🙌
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 12, 2023
If you haven’t already, show your support for @FightMND by donating or grabbing a beanie now.
👉 https://t.co/7jfjJxgNXx pic.twitter.com/gOiIX4cwSM
A sea of red + blue for the @ZurichAustralia Walk to the ‘G. 💙
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 12, 2023
👉 https://t.co/7jfjJxgNXx pic.twitter.com/H2vFgD9CVV
Beanies on Demons faithful 🥶❄️ It's time for the Freeze. #DemonSpirit | #AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/XCqHWg1FEh
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 12, 2023
The perfect hero costume. 👌@samkerr1 👀 pic.twitter.com/vErROmc2SR
— Melbourne AFLW (@MelbourneAFLW) June 12, 2023
Tim Watson was tasked with reving up our sliders for Neale Daniher 🧊♥
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 12, 2023
Don't miss the sliders coming down that slide soon on 7 or 7plus 👉 https://t.co/4QYVG51zKp pic.twitter.com/gq3HVbNBdV
Late World Cup call up, @TheMatildas? @tayla_harris7 takes on the #BigFreeze9 slide 🛝
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) June 12, 2023
Donate to @FightMND now: https://t.co/PKs8OyaMR1 pic.twitter.com/iTD6kp47Ve
The silver surfer 🏄♂️
— AFL (@AFL) June 12, 2023
Mick Fanning opens #BigFreeze9!
Donate to @FightMND now: https://t.co/UioYCqx9W4 pic.twitter.com/L5gA05Cb8O
DOWN GOES @ShaunBurgoyne9! 🥶
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 12, 2023
Head to our Insta story for more behind the scenes content! #BigFreeze9 pic.twitter.com/A6U9osxLg1
Jason Dunstall slides as Aquaman 😅#BigFreeze9 pic.twitter.com/3iaFXQBvcN
— AFL (@AFL) June 12, 2023
Stevie Payne helps @mj_payne down the #BigFreeze9 slide 🙌
— AFL (@AFL) June 12, 2023
Donate to @FightMND now: https://t.co/UioYCqx9W4 pic.twitter.com/M5LFGxYHV8
Here at the @mcg to see @CollingwoodFC play Melbourne on what has become one of the best days on the Australian sporting calendar. Donate if you can #FreezeMND #AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/cAM5Q3OCfM
— Matt (@Mattys123) June 12, 2023
Neale Daniher, legend. #BigFreeze9
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 12, 2023
📸Quinn Rooney pic.twitter.com/fgzWLD541c
Never a guard of honour more deserving.#DemonSpirit | #AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/zuMVb6mtPl
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) June 12, 2023
FightMND pic.twitter.com/vQNReorYH2
— Michael Willson (@MichaelCWillson) June 12, 2023
$2 million by Monday - we made it. Thank you to our FightMND Army for your incredible support. We're beating this Beast together, and every dollar raised will contribute to vital MND research so that we can one day live in a world without MND. #allinforMND #BigFreeze9 pic.twitter.com/S4Ru7wNh2B
— F I G H T M N D (@FightMND) June 12, 2023