“When it’s your turn to go, you gotta go”.
It’s a phrase footy great Neale Daniher used hundreds of times to inspire some of the country’s best footballers.
And it is the inspiration former West Coast megastar Nic Naitanui is using to take the plunge in this year’s Big Freeze at the ‘G.
The campaign, spearheaded by Daniher to raise awareness for his own fight against motor neuron disease, is into its 10th year.
And this year Naitanui — one of the most famous faces in West Australian footy — is heading over to take part.
Naitanui has been revealed as the latest in a stacked list of sporting champions, including former tennis star Pat Rafter, for the ‘rockstar’-themed event on June 10 at the MCG.
Naitanui worked closely with Daniher while he was general manager of football operations at the Eagles.
That was the last job Daniher had before turning his attention not only to a gruelling personal health battle but to one of the biggest research and awareness campaigns in the country.
“It’s a pretty big honour. Obviously, I know Daners. He was here when the MND diagnosis came about,” Naitanui told The West Australian.
“We got to see it in its infancy at the start and how it affected him slowly.
“To see him still going and year 10 of the Big Freeze, he’s defied the odds.
“He used to say ‘when it’s your turn to go, you gotta go’, which is a footy term. So he was like, this is my turn to stand up, so I’m going to do it — and he’s still doing it.”
Naitanui joked he was never a fan of jumping into ice baths in his playing days, but none were for as good a cause as this one.
“That’s part of the reason why I retired,” he joked.
“I didn’t enjoy them, but I did them because I knew they worked. I thought once I finished, I would never have to do one again.
“It’s all for a good cause, so I’ve just got to put it aside and get it done. It’s my turn to do it, so I’ll do it.”
Big Freeze 10 will air at 2.00pm AEST on Monday, June 10, live and free on Channel 7 and 7plus.