Eric Bana to take the icy plunge for Fight MND at the MCG

Hollywood A-lister Eric Bana says he couldn’t be prouder to support Fight MND as he commits to hitting the slide for the annual fundraiser at the ’G.

Eric Bana says he could not be prouder to support FightMND at the ‘G. Picture: Michael Klein

Hollywood A-lister Eric Bana has professed his love for Melbourne, footy and the inspiring work of Neale Daniher’s Fight MND as he commits to a starring role for the charity.

Chopper, The Dry and Troy actor Bana will on Monday be revealed as a high-profile slider to take part in Big Freeze at the G, bringing some star power to Fight MND’s biggest annual fundraiser.

And he could not be prouder to support the cause, thrilled to back Fight MND’s quest to find a cure for a deadly disease Daniher had dubbed “the beast”.

“I’d been waiting for that call – I knew it was going to come one day,’’ he said.

“So I was always prepared with a very quick yes.

“I said yes as soon as I knew I was going to be in Melbourne for it and I’m really excited.’’

Despite being a global star of the silver screen, Melbourne born-and-bred Bana was in awe of the work Daniher had done raising awareness, funds for research and support for MND sufferers since being diagnosed with the cruel disease in 2013.

“I’ve watched that foundation grow and the work they have been doing is just mega,’’ he said.

“So I’m really thrilled to help be a part of it.’’

Eric Bana will hit the slide as part of this year’s Big Freeze at the ’G. Picture: Michael Klein

Footy great Jason Dunstall will also be a slider.

“I just hope I can find some sort of dignity and not squeal like a girl while doing it,’’ he said.

Bana – a lifelong St Kilda tragic – said he would turn to Saints great Nick Riewoldt for advice on how to best pull off his MCG slide into an icy pool, given the former AFL’s star’s masterful impersonation of Freddie Mercury in 2019.

“My mate Roo obviously holds the gold medal and I don’t think anyone is going to top him from his throne any time soon,’’ he said.

“I do have an idea but you will have to wait for the day.’’

Bana agreed he had a “fair plethora’’ or characters to draw inspiration from for his costume, harping back to “Poida” from his Full Frontal comedy days, to Troy, Hulk and Chopper Read.

“I guess the challenge is to think of something that is not too obvious and maybe a bit out there,’’ he said.

“I had one idea that came straight to mind immediately so I’ve stuck with that but we’ll have to wait til the King’s Birthday.’’

Eric Bana says he could not be prouder to support FightMND at the ’G. Picture: Michael Klein

Bana said he was tired of constantly being asked why he still calls Melbourne home, when he could live anywhere in the world, but declared his home town would always have his heart.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and don’t have any plans on changing it,’’ he said.

He spoke of his ongoing hope for St Kilda, which he watches in person in Melbourne weekly and interstate when he can.

“I’m excited about the Saints this year and hopefully we can keep progressing,’’ he said.

He gave the thumbs up to Ross Lyon’s appointment as coach.

“ I love the structure off-field at the moment,’’ he said.

“I think we’ve got the scariest coach’s box in the AFL, an amazing coaches’s box.’’

And he said St Kilda’s return to its spiritual Moorabbin heartland as it tries to end the longest premiership drought in football “a real factor going forward”.

“The club has done a great job off-field, it’s pretty exciting to be at RSEA Park and being back at Moorabbin is a massive part if.

“It’s been a missing link over the years and we haven’t been back there that long really but it’s definitely building and it’s exciting.

“It’s got a real home, family feel for the club now that wasn’t there period to us being back at Moorabbin.’’

FightMND beanies at Coles, Cole’s Express, Bunnings and at FightMND.org.au

Originally published as Eric Bana to take the icy plunge for Fight MND at the MCG