Big Freeze at the G 10: Reliving a decade of iconic moments from Neale Daniher’s AFL FightMND fundraiser

A decade on, Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze at the G has become one of the most special days on the AFL calendar. We name the best sliders and costumes so far ahead of the 10th Big Freeze.

The Big Freeze at the G has become one of the most important dates on the AFL calendar in the past decade.

The event, pioneered by AFL great Neale Daniher and the FightMND Foundation, has invested $97m into research and care initiatives to fight what has been described by Daniher as ‘The Beast’.

Daniher has lived with motor neurone disease for more than a decade after being diagnosed in 2013, raising awareness and forging a legacy which has already helped thousands and provided hope for future generations.

His ‘Big Freeze at the G’ initiative has been supported by AFL players, coaches, comedians, musicians, Olympians and a host of big-name celebrities since launching in 2015.

To celebrate a decade of the Big Freeze, we’ve looked back on the best costumes and ice bath slides from the past nine years.

Let us know your favourite below.

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Nathan Buckley with Neale Daniher before heading down the Big Freeze slide. Picture: Scott Barbour/AFL Media

NATHAN BUCKLEY — 2018

On a special day where every coach went down the slide, Buckley paid tribute to firefighter Murray Swinton — a Collingwood supporter who had been diagnosed with MND. Buckley plunged into the ice bath wearing Swinton’s firefighting suit and helmet. Swinton later joined Collingwood’s team song after it defeated Melbourne by 42 points.

WHAT THEY SAID: “Murray Swinton came down on Tuesday and actually about four weeks ago with Neale. He was a firefighter. He’s suffering MND and he presented this. This is his helmet that he wore for 30 years. I’d like to acknowledge him and the fire brigade as well.”

No words can describe this happiness 💙 #FOREVERpic.twitter.com/Dupw1wqV6Q

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) June 11, 2018

Mark Robinson hits the water. Picture: Michael Klein

Robbo prepares for the plunge into the ice bath. Picture: Michael Klein

MARK ROBINSON — 2015

The Herald Sun’s chief football writer was one of the first people to go down the slide, wearing a red jump suit and helping raise more than $30,000 by taking an icy dip.

WHAT THEY SAID: “All the different footy shows, the Herald Sun, Channel 7 have raised what $1.5m, hopefully $2m. I just said up there, $32,000 for me to look stupid in a red suit today. For me to look stupid for 10 seconds is well worth it.”

Chris Fagan tore his hamstring getting out of the pool. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

CHRIS FAGAN — 2018

The Brisbane Lions coach dressed as ‘The Reverend’, paying tribute to the nickname Neale Daniher attracted during his coaching career. It is believed he was given the moniker for his ability to preach to the Melbourne faithful. Fagan made a dramatic exit from the pool, rupturing a hamstring tendon and having to undergo surgery. No pain, no gain, right?

WHAT THEY SAID: “I reckon I’ve pulled it (hamstring) off the bone. Just a bit of a slip up there mate at the end.”

Nick Riewoldt had the crowd going with his Freddie Mercury impression. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

NICK RIEWOLDT — 2019

Long before Taylor Swift rocked the MCG, former St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt had the crowd on its feet with his impression of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Riewoldt performed a dance routine with ‘We Will Rock You’ belting out at the MCG before hurtling down the slide.

WHAT THEY SAID: “A brutal disease so we’re all really happy to be able to support it and play a part in what is a magnificent day on the footy calendar.”

Sarah Jones’ reaction says it all after hitting the water. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

SARAH JONES — 2021

We’re not sure what was more impressive about Fox Footy host Jones’ slide — her Mary Poppins costume, her jig before going down the slide or being able to say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious backwards. One of the standout costumes and performances in Big Freeze history.

WHAT THEY SAID: “I look like Mary at the start of the movie when it all goes amiss … that was my favourite movie growing up and it was my mum’s favourite movie.”

Carlton diehard and comedian Dave Hughes dressed as Bruce Doull. Picture: Michael Klein

DAVE HUGHES — 2016

Funnyman and Carlton diehard Dave Hughes arrived with a doormat as he dressed as Blues legend ‘The Flying Doormat’ Bruce Doull. As far the likenesses go, this has been one of the best costumes yet to head down the slide.

WHAT THEY SAID: “We love Neale. We love what he’s doing. Good on everyone for being here.”

Alan Richardson went down the slide dressed as Mark Robinson. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

ALAN RICHARDSON — 2018

Mark Robinson made his second appearance on the slide for Big Freeze 4 — sort of. Then St Kilda coach Alan Richardson donned a bald cap and suit, performing his best impression of ‘Robbo’.

WHAT THEY SAID: “Our club were asked, ‘who would you like to go down the slide?’ Probably more importantly, ‘who would you like to stay under?’ Robbo was the one.”

Luke Beveridge surfed down the slide. Picture: Michael Klein

Before the Bulldogs coach took an icy dip. Picture: Michael Klein

LUKE BEVERIDGE — 2018

No one can match the Bulldogs coach when it comes to unique slides. A well-known fan of the surf, Beveridge jumped on his board and surfed it down the slide, showing off his skills.

WHAT THEY SAID: “I’m a try-hard. Good fun. Great to get into the spirit. Everyone else has got a better costume than me so I thought I had to do something different.”

A special moment between Terry and Neale Daniher before Terry went down the slide dressed as Crocodile Dundee. Picture: Michael Klein

TERRY DANIHER — 2022

What do you get when you put Roger the crocodile, some fake tan and a Daniher together? Terry Daniher’s epic Mike Dundee costume from 2022. It was a special moment at the MCG when two of the Daniher brothers shared a laugh before Terry’s slide into the ice.

WHAT THEY SAID: “I did it for Mick (Dundee). I did it for Neale. What a great day. Thanks everyone for coming out — look at all these blue beanies. (Neale has) had a lot of good friends around him to help him make the foundation bigger and stronger but we still haven’t found a cure. Keep supporting us and hopefully there’s a cure not too far around the corner.”

Abbey Gelmi’s costume was one of the best in Big Freeze history. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Channel 7 presenter went down dressed as Maleficent. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

ABBEY GELMI — 2023

We’re calling it — this is the best costume yet. Channel 7 sport presenter Gelmi must have spent hours getting ready to pull off a Maleficent which was straight out of the 2014 Disney film starring Angelina Jolie. Her face when she hit the ice was priceless too.

WHAT THEY SAID: “It’s cold in my soul — but it’s worth it. I’m fine. Dad (former Richmond player Kane Lambert) has done some cool things at the MCG but I will always be the coolest.”

Gillon McLachlan dressed as Meatloaf. Picture: Michael Klein

AND WHO COULD FORGET …

GILLON MCLACHLAN — 2021

Ok, we snuck an 11th name onto our list. But, it was hard to leave former AFL head honcho McLachlan out for this effort. McLachlan mocked US crooner Meatloaf’s infamous 2011 grand final performance, even having a lighthearted dig at the black mark it had left on the sport in Australia. McLachlan has to be commended for keeping this costume under lock and key — even as he was interviewed in a robe seconds before going down the slide, it wasn’t clear what he’d come dressed as.

WHAT THEY SAID: “I had a lot to think about. We went through a few different options … I just thought it appropriate here. On this stage. (Meatloaf) sung here. He brought great shame and disgrace to the whole game of Australian rules football.”

Originally published as Big Freeze at the G 10: Reliving a decade of iconic moments from Neale Daniher’s AFL FightMND fundraiser