Channel 7 star Sam Mac stole the show at the annual Big Freeze at the 'G slide ahead of the King's Birthday clash between Collingwood and Melbourne, but only narrowly avoided disaster in doing so. The Sunrise weather presenter came out as children's Aussie cartoon favourite Bluey on Monday — and his commitment to the costume cost him a moment of concern at the bottom of the slide.
So big and chunky was the outfit that Sam struggled to get up and out of the icy water after he plunged into it. "I reckon he might not get out! He might need to be rescued," Brian Taylor said. "He can't stand up, he's gone under. He can't get up, he's having to backstroke. And that was very nearly the first drowning!"
But he was still honoured to be part of the special event, which — into its 12th year — was particularly emotional this year given the recent passing of Neale Daniher, who initiated the fundraising day to champion the fight against motor neuron disease. Neale's daughter Bec took her father's place at the top of the slide, but not without her dad's chair by her side and a Big Freeze beanie sitting on it — a beautiful touch for what has become an iconic event on the AFL calendar.
Andy Lee
One of Australia's favourite comedians, podcasters and media personalities went down as Wizz from his own children's books. "I started out pumped and now I'm terrified," Lee said before going down. The only concern though was that the costume almost looked too big to fit down the slide! "They've told me to keep my tongue in, in case this this (my costume) hits me," Lee said. As he went down, Brian Taylor added: "Wow, we have never seen this before — a man promoting his own book!" When he got to the bottom, Lee couldn't help but make the obvious joke, given the shape of his costume. "I know this is ball-shaped, so I expect a bit of shrinkage!" he said.
Nathan Jones
Neale Daniher's former hard-nosed midfielder at Melbourne, who is on assistant coaching duties as well today, came out to the stage as world-famous Australian DJ, Fisher. It might seem like an obvious choice because Fisher and Jones share famous bald-head looks — or at least they did, but Fisher has since had his hair restored! The costume was still a winner though. Daniher was Jones's first coach. "He certainly taught me a lot," Jones said. "Absolutely honoured to be here and hopefully the team and the club can represent and honour his legacy today."
Sam Moyston AC
Australia's honourable Governor General dressed up as Neale himself! Sam Moyston AC came out wearing a custom half-Essendon, half-Melbourne jumper. "The highest-ranking person ever to take the slide. Prime Minister — you're next!" Taylor said. "If everyone was like Neale Daniher, this country would be unstoppable," Moyston said at the bottom of the slide. "It would be the most caring place that put community at the heart of everything, cared for other people, and didn't always focus on the bad things, but showed up at our very best."
Sam Mac
The Channel 7 star came out as Australian cartoon favourite, Bluey. "Bluey is a six-year-old girl in the show. I have a similar physique to a six-year-old girl," he said at the top of the slide. The costume was a winner, but it might have been a little bit too big, given it almost drowned him in the icy water at the bottom. "I reckon he might not get out! He might need to be rescued," BT said. "He can't stand up, he's gone under. He can't get up, he's having to backstroke. And that was very nearly the first drowning!" The huge Crows fan's blue body paint had half come off by the time he got out. "I guess I'm just having an ice bath for the next 20 minutes," he said. "I did this for my daughters ... and my uncle Laurie, who has MND."
Cooper Woods
Australia's winter Olympics gold medallist made Mick Fanning the first person to be a slider and a costume. Woods is used to the cold conditions, but even he was blown away by the sea of blue beanies at the MCG. "Mate, it's actually unbelievable," he said. "I landed in Melbourne yesterday afternoon, and the domination of blue beanies as soon as I hit the airport here was insane."
Jo Weston
Australia's Princess of Pop is coming to the MCG in September, but Jo Weston brought her early for the Big Freeze. "I'm probably the world's tallest Kylie Minogue impersonator, but I'm happy to be here," Weston said. The star Aussie netballer said she has already seen the Kylie documentary twice. Weston, who is a big Essendon fan, said she'd love to be at the grand final to see Minogue, but has her best friend's wedding that weekend.
Dale Thomas
The Collingwood premiership player came out as his iconic premiership coach, Mick Malthouse — and he fully committed to the bit. Thomas actually did his best Malthouse impersonation by answering Tim Watson's questions in his best Mick voice and a couple of classic Mick references from some of his famously icy press conferences. And as an added surprise, Thomas even brought out Collingwood's 2010 premiership captain Nick Maxwell, including with the real cup, on stage to recreate their moment on the dais 16 years ago. At the bottom of the slide, Thomas said he was even wearing Malthouse's actual shirt from his wardrobe at home too. "I texted the coach mid-week and he had one new, with tags," Thomas said at the bottom.
Mark Howard
Triple M's star footy and cricket commentator has made no secret over the years that Jason Dunstall and Alan Border were his two sporting heroes. Now Howie has come out as Dunstall himself, who is also a colleague of his on radio. With a footy in his hands, which read '1254' — Dunstall's number of career AFL goals — Howie stood at the top of the slide with full mullet wig and all. But he stopped short of Dunstall's infamous helmet. "That would have annoyed him because that wasn't his favourite look," Howard said. "I know he's favourite was when he had the hair so I thought I'd pay hommage to him."
Amy Shark
The chart-topping popstar came out as her namesake and pop predecessor, Amy Winehouse. "I think she just paved the way for girls to write their feelings unapologetically and be brutally honest," Shark said at the top. Adorned with the Winehouse tattoos and famous hair, Shark couldn't quite bring herself to fully submerge into the icy water when she got to the bottom. "I think for reaction, this is the one — Amy did not like the cold confines of that cold swimming pool," BT said. "Oh my god, that was insane," she said at the bottom. "I am so honoured to be a part of this. He (Daniher) is the greatest leading man and such an inspiration. You can't just choose to do this, you have to be asked, and so, as much pain as I'm in right now, this is great."
Dan Gorringe
The former Gold Coast and Carlton ruck-turned podcaster and social media influencer came out last, dressed as current Blues interim coach, Josh Fraser. Fraser has won four games on the trot since taking over from Michael Voss, giving hope to Blues fans like Gorringe, who is a very public Carlton tragic. "Josh Fraser is the saviour, ladies and gentlemen," Gorringe said. "I'm declaring it. Obviously played for the Pies, lost his hair, came to the good side, hair came back. He's the next coach!"
