Straight Arrow since Origin debacle
Covid breach sees Bunnies bruiser swear off grog
MAROONS star Jai Arrow has binned the booze after his Origin controversy and believes his move to South Sydney from the Titans has been vindicated as the Rabbitohs sit on the cusp of next week’s grand final.
Arrow will make his first appearance in an NRL preliminary final when the Rabbitohs take on Manly at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
It will be the biggest NRL game in Arrow’s six-season career and comes in his first year at the Rabbitohs after leaving the Titans.
Arrow, 26, is on the cusp of playing in the historic Suncorp Stadium premiership decider next Sunday but it was only two months ago that his career was at its lowest point.
Arrow was rubbed out of Game Three of the Origin series and hit with a $35,000 fine after breaching Covid protocols in Camp Maroon on the Gold Coast.
He spent two weeks in isolation questioning himself and his decisions before emerging determined to lead Souths to premiership glory for the first time since 2014.
Arrow said he owed Souths, and in particular coach Wayne Bennett, for helping him through the darkest period in his career.
“I had a lot of time to reflect and question myself as a person,” Arrow said. “People that question my character don’t know me from a bar of soap. I will do anything for anyone. That’s me as a person and I’ll continue to do that.
“I’ve been off the drink and I don’t want to touch it. My mind and body are refreshed.
“If I didn’t have Wayne Bennett it would have been 10 times worse for me. The way he, the club and coaching staff backed me definitely helped and got me through it.
“We had a meeting when I got back in the team environment and I got up in front of everyone and apologised. I wanted to reiterate that I was here to play good footy for the rest of the year. It was obviously a tough time but I had to move forward. I’m not someone to dwell on things and mope around.
“I’ve hit my straps and am enjoying my footy. The coaches have been pretty happy with me but I’m not satisfied yet. There is still a long way to go.”
Arrow has become a key player for Souths, playing 21 games in his debut season at Redfern and providing impact off the bench in 11 of those appearances.
While he was a guaranteed starter at the Titans, his home town club, Arrow’s role at Souths has become an integral part of the Rabbitohs’ premiership puzzle.
Arrow was criticised by Titans fans after signing a four-year contract with Souths but says it has proven to be the right move.
“I’ve said it openly – I came to Souths to play in big games and now I get that opportunity,” he said.
“It’s good to see the Gold Coast make the finals, but I came here to play on the big stage.”