‘We’ll always look after Jai’: Captain opens up on Arrow heartbreak
Cameron Murray has long been an inspirational leader for the Rabbitohs, but nobody could have prepared him for the 2026 season.
The tough South Sydney skipper has been the heart and soul of the club since making his debut as a teenager, but was forced to stand tall in the face of adversity this year, continually putting on a brave face after teammate Jai Arrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and had to retire.
Cameron Murray and Jai Arrow. Getty Images
The club rallied around Arrow with emotional tributes, headlined by the final two rounds as the former Maroons star ran out for his 99th and 100th games.
Murray walked onto the field at Allianz Stadium alongside Arrow for the round 27 clash against the Roosters, where a sold-out crowd applauded and sang along to You’ll Never Walk Alone in a memorable, yet gut-wrenching moment.
Speaking to nine.com.au at the Dally M ceremony on Wednesday night, Murray reflected on the growth he had to find through difficult circumstances and vowed to continue supporting Arrow for as long as he fights MND.
“It has been a big year for us and there were lots of things that we just never thought we’d have to deal with that come our way,” he said.
“You learn a lot when you’re in the trenches. You’ve just got to get around your teammate and make the most of every moment and every memory with them, because you just don’t know where life’s gonna take you or hit you with.
“Unfortunately for Jai, he’s got a pretty big battle up against him – but the one thing I love about this club is that we’re a family club and we look after our own.
“We’ll always look after Jai, we did this year in any way we could. We’ll continue to stand beside him for as long as he can fight this terrible disease.
“For me, there was a lot of learning and a lot of growing this year, but I’m grateful for all the good times and even the bad times too.”
Arrow picked up two Dally M awards – the Peter Frilingos Headline Moment of the Year and the Provan-Summons Medal for showing the spirit of rugby league – for the empowering way he handled the life-altering diagnosis.
Murray and Arrow played in the 2021 grand final together and like so many other Souths players, the captain has become close friends with him away from football.
On the field, this season was a rollercoaster for the Bunnies, who at times looked like premiership contenders, but struggled for consistency.
Jai Arrow and his wife Berina Colakovic arrive at the Dally M awards. Getty
A horror injury toll didn’t help matters, but Murray said the Rabbitohs failed to find the poise required in big moments to make a real dent in September.
“I’d probably just say it was a bit hot and cold,” the skipper said.
“We never really found too much consistency and we paid for it in the end.
“I think we had two good games leading into the finals and then we sort of let ourselves down in terms of execution.
“There were a lot of good things to reflect on and things that we can start building some momentum on heading into next year.”
Souths received a major boost this week with the extension of back-rower Tallis Duncan, who the captain is stoked to continue playing alongside.
Murray also said Duncan wouldn’t look out of place in a Kangaroos jersey and is hoping to join him in the green and gold for the World Cup.
“He definitely deserves it,” Murray said.
“He keeps getting better and better, so it’s hard to know where the ceiling is for Talis and I’m really glad that we’ve locked him up for the next couple of years.
“He’s gonna reach his potential in the red and green, which is where he belongs, and he said it’s his home ... he’s a South Sydney man through and through.”
Duncan’s new deal will see him remain at Redfern until the end of 2030.
