South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has likened the toll of dealing with Jai Arrow's motor neurone disease diagnosis to the emotional aftermath of Alex McKinnon's devastating spinal injury.
The supercoach declared on Thursday that rugby league is at its best when it puts on a united front and that was on full display at Accor Stadium as South Sydney celebrated Arrow's career with a 48-6 win over Brisbane.
The Queenslander was moved to tears as fans - many holding supportive banners or cut-outs of the retired forward's head - greeted Arrow with a standing ovation as he rang the Rabbitohs' Legacy Bell prior to kick-off.
The victory marked the Rabbitohs' first since Arrow went public with his condition last month.
Souths players have known for some time that Arrow had been seeking medical advice but that hasn't lessened the shock of his diagnosis.
