New Cat joins Big Freeze Geelong lineup

CATS old and new will brave the cold for a cause this year, with 2023 recruit Tanner Bruhn joining retired premiership players Cameron Mooney and David Wojcinski in the fifth edition of Big Freeze Geelong.

Bruhn was selected by Big Freeze Geelong ambassador and Cats waterboy Sam Moorfoot to take part in the annual fundraiser supporting research into motor neurone disease (MND).

This year’s event will take place at Elderslie Reserve and be hosted by Geelong Football League club Newtown & Chilwell – the same club Bruhn played at as a junior before being drafted into the AFL by Greater Western Sydney.

“It is where I first fell in love with the game of footy,” Bruhn said.

“I am so grateful for the Newtown & Chilwell FNC. I still remember my first game filling in for my brother Jaxon’s under-9 team as a six-year-old; I snuck into the forward pocket.”

Bruhn said his brother would line up for the Eagles in the Big Freeze clash against South Barwon on 31 May.

“I think the work that Big Freeze and Neale Daniher have done to raise money and awareness for MND has been nothing short of phenomenal and I am so grateful I can play a small part in highlighting this great organisation and special day,” he said.

“I am sure I will give a few family and friends a laugh.”

Mooney will take the slide on behalf of former teammate Mathew Stokes, whose family has been affected by MND.

The Fox Footy commentator and radio host said he had handed responsibility for his costume over to his daughters, who will be there to watch him take the plunge.

“We know how important days like these are to raise as much money as possible for really important causes like MND – plus the kids love any opportunity to laugh at me,” Mooney said.

“I hated doing cold plunge baths when I was playing, so I’m not exactly looking forward to falling into cold water, but it’ll be nothing compared to what MND fighters have to go through.”

Wojcinski is taking part in support of his mother, who was recently diagnosed with MND.

“It’s obviously for a good cause, so I’m more than happy to jump in, slide down and get cold and wet,” he said.

“When people see how people suffer with it, it really breaks your heart.

“It’s a horrible disease but there’s a lot of support around it, so hopefully one day they’ll find a cure.”

The three-time Cats premiership player said he was still narrowing down ideas for his costume.

“I’ve got a shortlist at the moment … and I’ll whittle it down to a final costume at some stage soon,” Wojcinski said.

Big Freeze Geelong organiser Graeme Reid said this year’s fundraising target was $100,000, which would push the event’s five-year total to almost half a million dollars.

“It’s very gratifying, but it’s a reflection on the Geelong community and on the event itself and just off the back of what the MCG Big Freeze does and what the Daniher family does,” Reid said.

“We’re just playing a small part, so we’re happy to be contributing.”