Following the success of last year’s Big Freeze – Gabba Style, the Brisbane Lions will again join the fight against MND by hosting QLD Freeze at the Gabba on Friday night against St Kilda.
The QLD Freeze will bookend a big week for FightMND, which started on Monday with the annual Big Freeze at The MCG held on the King’s Birthday holiday.
This year will commemorate the 10th anniversary of fearlessly fighting the beast, helping raise vital funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and care initiatives.
To help celebrate the occasions the Lions have also launched a QLD Freeze Membership - which includes a Big Freeze 10 Beanie, a prime reserved seat at the game and general admission access to another two Lions home games.
Brisbane Lions Co-Vice Captain Josh Dunkley said he was thrilled the club was again supporting such a great cause.
“It’s hard to put into words just how much of an honour it is to help Neale Daniher, and everyone involved in The Big Freeze and at Fight MND,” Dunkley said.
“As athletes you go through your fair share of battles, though when you look at what Neale and others that battle with MND go through it puts things in perspective.
“Myself and all the boys are in awe of Neale and definitely take inspiration from the way he never gives up on trying to beat the best and find a cure.
“To be hosting QLD Freeze at The Gabba for a second year is something myself and everyone at the Brisbane Lions are extremely excited about.”
The QLD Freeze will see a total of nine celebrities dunked into a ice-filled dunk tank at various stages of Friday night’s match.
Revealed first as one of the dunkees, is an athlete who is used to serving up some ace entertainment – former Australian tennis star John Millman.
As someone who is a passionate supporter of the Lions and FightMND, Millman said being involved was an easy decision.
“I can’t wait until Friday night when the Lions take on the Saints,” Millman said.
“I will be participating in QLD Freeze, so I will be a little bit cold, but the Lions are going to be hot! Let’s go the Lions!”
The next dunkees to be announced were the extremely funny podcast duo, Mitch and Leigh Drennan from We Got The Chocolates.
As two lads who boast an impressive Instagram following of more than 799k, Mitch and Leigh are hoping to help raise much needed awareness and funds.
“We can’t wait to get involved in QLD Freeze this Friday night at The Gabba,” the We Got The Chocolates pair said.
“It’s for an awesome cause, so make sure you grab your tickets mainly to see a great game of footy.
“But also, as an entrée we’ll be getting dunked in ice-cold water… so should be fun.”
Our next dunkee is no stranger to freezing conditions, and that is Australian Winter Olympian Britt Cox.
The youngest athlete to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics also went on to win Australia's first ever female World Cup mogul skiing medal.
Making Cox’s inclusion in the QLD Freeze even more fitting is her special connection to the club as the granddaughter of former Fitzroy player Len Cox.
Someone who might be seeking some advice from Cox on how to handle the ice-cold water is our next dunkee – reality television identity Adam Densten.
The Gogglebox star and podcast host does his best work from the comfort of his living room, but the die-hard Lions fan is giving up that luxury to join the fight.
One would think helping guide the Brisbane Lions to two AFLW premierships would save AFLW coach Craig Starcevich from being dunked, but he has agreed to it.
Starcevich, a key player in Collingwood’s 1990 premiership side, is one of the best people you could have at your club and his involvement in Qld Freeze highlights that.
Premier of Queensland, Steven Miles MP has alsothrown his support behind QLD Freeze.
“It’s always been really heart-warming to see people get involved in the Big Freeze at the MCG, so it was an easy yes when I was asked to get dunked at our iconic Gabba.
“I recently lost a cousin to motor neurone disease and I know what a great job FightMND do.
“Queensland winter is still pretty cold for me, but the Big Freeze and this campaign is so much bigger than a few minutes of feeling the chill.
“I’m really proud to join this lineup in support of FightMND.”
Going from the leader of the state to one of Queensland’s newest residents, what being initiation for the Brisbane Bullets star recruit Casey Prather.
Standing at an imposing 198 centimetres, the professional basketballer hails from America – though is no stranger to the NBL with three Championships to his name.
With a total of eight dunkees revealed, the Brisbane Lions still have one celebrity to confirm later this week – and they will hit the announcement for six!
