Former South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow and his wife Berina Colakovic made a stylish red carpet appearance at the Dally M Awards in Sydney on Wednesday evening.
The 31-year-old former forward attended the ceremony following his medical retirement from the National Rugby League after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in May.
Arrow wore a black tuxedo paired with a matching black dinner shirt and bow tie. Colakovic wore a strapless feathered gown, black heels, and a sparkly silver handbag, with her hair styled in a sleek updo.
The couple posed together on the red carpet for photographers during the event. They also posed for photographs alongside fellow South Sydney Rabbitohs player Campbell Graham.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are a professional rugby league team based in Sydney competing in Australia's premier National Rugby League competition. The Dally M Awards are held annually to recognise the top player and outstanding individual performances across the NRL season.
Tribute at the NRL final
This weekend's NRL final will kick off with an emotional tribute to Arrow, who will complete a lap of honour before the match begins.
The tribute will feature the Gerry and the Pacemakers classic song You'll Never Walk Alone. Mystery Australian musicians will perform the track live during the ceremony.
Gerry and the Pacemakers were a prominent 1960s British beat group from Liverpool, England. Their recording of You'll Never Walk Alone became a world-renowned sports anthem traditionally played at major sporting events and honours.
Radio interview and symptoms
Earlier this month, Arrow and Colakovic appeared on KIIS FM's breakfast show hosted by Mike Etheridge to discuss his condition.
During the interview, Etheridge asked Arrow if he missed physical activity as he undergoes treatment for the disease. Arrow admitted that he cannot run and described himself as a bit uncoordinated at the moment, adding that it is what it is.
Arrow cheekily stated that a surprising silver lining of his diagnosis was an improvement in his personal life with his wife. "The orgasms are better! They are unbelievable," Arrow quipped during the broadcast.
Colakovic was left mortified by the admission, uttering "no, no, no" before he made the comments and hiding her head in her hands. "I didn't realise we were going to rehash that," she said.
KIIS FM is a commercial radio station broadcasting across Sydney, Australia. Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive neurological condition that damages nerves responsible for controlling muscles, gradually affecting movement, speech, swallowing, and breathing. Experts note that while MND severely affects movement, sexual sensation and function can remain intact, with increased emotional intimacy making sensations feel more intense.
Treatment plan and future outlook
Arrow detailed his extensive treatment plan during a candid appearance on the Chats from a Chair podcast with Nick Dempsey. Reports indicate he is taking HIV medication and using hyperbaric chambers as he fights the disease.
Arrow stated he is taking HIV medication prescribed by his neurologist to suppress activity within his body, despite not having HIV. "I don't have it, mind you, but I'm on HIV medication," Arrow said. "Why? I don't know. I'm doing what the neuro has told me to do."
Arrow explained that he is combining the medication with a holistic approach that includes a high-protein, anti-inflammatory diet and stress management. "The biggest thing, I think, the two biggest killers, well three, one is stress management, diet, food you eat, then high-protein, anti-inflammatory diet. And people give up. And I have control over them," he said.
There is currently no cure for Motor Neurone Disease, and hyperbaric chambers are not an established treatment for slowing the condition. Arrow expressed that managing his diet and stress gives him control over his health when others might give up.
The Sydney-born former athlete said his determination to slow the disease is driven by his one-year-old daughter Ayla. He explained that he wants to witness future milestones such as her first day at school and her wedding.
Arrow's initial symptoms emerged during pre-season training when he struggled with chin-ups, noticed speech changes, and developed weakness and twitching in his arm and shoulder. His speech has since deteriorated, his left arm has become increasingly uncoordinated, and he can no longer spread his fingers or run. The condition has also affected his emotions, leaving him prone to irritation and uncontrollable laughter during serious moments.
