Home

FightMND Big Freeze 7: The best sliders from annual Queen’s Birthday fundraiser

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
VideoFormer Melbourne and Fremantle star Jeff Farmer took inspiration from his nickname, dressing as The Wizard in a Demons cloak and a long grey beanie.

The Sydney Cricket Ground is set to be a sea of blue beanies this afternoon as the seventh annual Big Freeze event, launched by former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher’s FightMND charity, gets underway.

Daniher, who was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2013, organised the event to correspond with the traditional Queen’s Birthday clash between Collingwood and Melbourne at the MCG.

Despite the match now taking place at the SCG, the Big Freeze slide is still held at the home of football, where sliders plunge into a pool of icy water to raise much-needed funds for MND research.

MORE AFL:

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Jeff Farmer, Daisy Pearce, Abbey Holmes, Shane Crawford, Billy Brownless, umpire Ray Chamberlain and AFL CEO Gill McLachlan are among the sliders.

The Game AFL 2024

Hawthorn premiership player Shane Crawford was the first to take the plunge, sitting on the shoulders of a blow up Queen Elizabeth II and holding a cake in honour of her birthday.

Shane Crawford in honour of the Queen's Birthday.
Camera IconShane Crawford in honour of the Queen's Birthday. Credit: 7AFL
Daisy Pearce dressed as Bluey.
Camera IconDaisy Pearce dressed as Bluey. Credit: 7AFL

Daisy Pearce was next down the slide, dressed as the beloved Aussie cartoon blue heeler Bluey.

Former Melbourne and Fremantle star Jeff Farmer took inspiration from his own nickname, dressing as The Wizard with a long grey beard.

WATCH JEFF FARMER’S SLIDE IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

He stripped off his Demons cloak before his slide and plunged into the icy cold water.

Fox Footy commentator Sarah Jones dressed as Mary Poppins, complete with an umbrella and top hat.

Sarah Jones as Mary Poppins.
Camera IconSarah Jones as Mary Poppins. Credit: 7AFL
Umpire Ray Chamberlain dressed as Elton John.
Camera IconUmpire Ray Chamberlain dressed as Elton John. Credit: 7AFL

Umpire Ray Chamberlain channelled Elton John in the Rocket Man’s infamous Dodgers baseball stage costume.

Netball champion Sharni Layton dressed as Vanilla Ice and performed a quick dance to Ice Ice Baby before sliding down with a boombox over her shoulder.

Geelong champion Billy Brownless managed to get a hold of an old Assumption College jumper, Neale Daniher’s former school, for his plunge.

Billy Brownless in an Asumption College jumper.
Camera IconBilly Brownless in an Asumption College jumper. Credit: 7AFL
Abbey Holmes paid tribute to Dipper with her Big Freeze costume.
Camera IconAbbey Holmes paid tribute to Dipper with her Big Freeze costume. Credit: 7AFL

2017 AFLW premiership player and commentator Abbey Holmes paid homage to legendary AFL boundary rider Dipper.

Last but certainly not least, AFL CEO Gillion McLachlan said Meat Loaf “brought shame to the MCG” during his infamous 2011 grand final performance.

In order to “exorcise the demons”, the football boss dressed up as the performer to make his way down the Big Freeze slide.

It was seen an official apology from the league for the almost decade-old performance.

AFL CEO Gill McLachlan as Meat Loaf.
Camera IconAFL CEO Gill McLachlan as Meat Loaf. Credit: 7AFL

FightMND is aiming to raise $2 million.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails