'A beautiful scene': Walker ready for Arrow's special milestone

Arrow will lead out the Rabbitohs for the opening seconds before being interchanged and spending the remainder of the match on the bench alongside his team mates.

For best mate Cody Walker, seeing Arrow decked out in the red and green again will be a moment packed with plenty of emotion.

“To be able to get out there, where he grew up, his old club, it will be a beautiful scene, but an emotional one for those involved,” Walker said. 

Arrow spent three seasons with the Titans before joining South Sydney in 2021, where he and Walker quickly formed one of the club's most infectious friendships.

Five years later, that bond has remained unchanged.

“He’s a big part of our club, a big part of our team and he’s a big part of my life since he came to the club.”

And while Arrow’s playing days may have come to an end, Walker said his energy around the club remained the same. 

“He’s still one of the loudest in the squad when he’s around training,” Walker said.

“The banter is still flying around the group like no tomorrow. You can see that he’s beaming inside and it means a hell of a lot to him.”

The 31-year-old was just two games short of 100 when his diagnosis forced him to retire, leaving the former Queensland Origin forward without the chance to reach the club milestone that once seemed inevitable.

Now, he will get that chance - a moment that will be about far more than just a number.

“Everyone in the rugby league community has done a beautiful job at supporting Jai in different ways. He’ll be feeling the love," Walker said.

“That’s one of the beauties of our great game, that when one of our own is going through a bit, we all band together regardless of what team everyone plays for.”

And the special moment would not have been possible without the people behind the scenes, including Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett, who helped push for the unprecedented rule change with the NRL.

“A lot of the guys in the background have to be commended and congratulated on getting this over the line,” Walker said. 

“I think Wayne was one of those guys who took it to Peter and the guys at the NRL.”