The celebrations for his 100th Rabbitohs appearance might be over, but Jai Arrow still has a “massive role to play” for the club as he continues to be their biggest inspiration going into the finals.

The images over the past two weeks at games against the Titans and Roosters will stay with people forever as rugby league came together to celebrate a young man’s career that was cut short by a devastating motor neurone disease diagnosis.

Wayne Bennett played a key role in ensuring his player reached the magical milestone, with the veteran coach on hand to help Arrow put his socks on a fortnight ago before he handed him his interchange card at a sold-out Allianz Stadium.

The Moore Park precinct will host Friday night’s elimination final against the Knights, with Arrow’s fight and courage to inspire his teammates over the next few weeks.

While the insidious disease has changed his life forever, some things have remained the same.

Arrow is still a larrikin who will do anything to support his mates.

It’s why he hopped in Cody Walker’s car last weekend to make the trip to Wollongong where former Rabbitohs teammate Damien Cook was playing his last game in the NRL.

Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray drove down with his family for the farewell and said Arrow’s touching act showed why he was still such an important member of the South Sydney family.

“That’s the type of bloke he is,” Murray told the NewsWire.

“He’s got every excuse under the sun to not go and see his good mate play his last game, but he was there.

“He’s the most selfless guy out there. He’s just one of the great teammates, one of the great mates that we’ve ever had. Like I said, we’re just trying to go out there and make him proud every week.

“He’s probably our biggest motivator at the moment, just the way that he’s handling everything, the strength that he’s showing. We go out there and try to make him proud every week. He’s definitely got a massive role to play.”

Souths are 4-0 in games this season where there’s been a special Arrow theme, with the Bunnies beating the Broncos, Knights, Titans and Roosters.

The Knights game doubled as the world’s biggest birthday party for Arrow, with more than 30,000 rocking up to see the Rabbitohs hold on for victory.

Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga scored two tries that afternoon and played several State of Origin matches for Queensland with Arrow.

He’s confident his side will be able to handle the emotional occasion and said the Knights owed it to Arrow to produce their best 80 minutes of the season.

“I understand he’s been an inspiration for everyone, not only Souths. The scenes that have unfolded over the last couple of weeks have been extraordinary,” Ponga said.

“For us going up against Souths, we acknowledge and respect him because he means so much to the rugby league community. The strength he’s shown throughout this period has been incredible.

“For us, it’s about acknowledging that, respecting it, and then going out there and fighting for it. I think that’s a great way to honour him.

“He’s been so inspiring, which speaks to his character. Souths and the NRL have done a great job letting him get to 100 games, which means so much to him and his family. When they look back on it, I think it’s going to be awesome.”

Originally published as ‘Every excuse under the sun’: The touching Jai Arrow act that shows why he will always be South Sydney’s biggest motivation