Sydney star Tom Papley paid tribute to retired NRL player Jai Arrow during his side’s loss to Fremantle on Thursday night.

During the top-of-the-table AFL clash in Perth, Papley kicked a goal in the second quarter and celebrated with a bow-and-arrow gesture.

Tom Papley’s tribute to Jai Arrow after kicking a goal. via Getty Images

It was a strong return to the game for the small forward, after six weeks out with an injury.

Asked at half-time about the celebration, Papley said it was for Arrow and his family.

“Yeah that’s for Jai July. Jai Arrow, hope you’re going well mate, keep fighting brother,” Papley told Channel Seven.

The NRL initiated “Jai July” to help raise awareness and funding for the fight against motor neuron disease. Arrow was forced to medically retire during the 2026 season, after being diagnosed with MND.

The 30-year-old was also brought into the AFL ranks on King’s Birthday Monday for the league’s “Big Freeze” game, which also raises money annually to fight MND and was started by Neale Daniher, who died from the disease earlier in 2026 after a 13-year fight.

The Rabbitohs have called on fans to show up to Accor Stadium this weekend for a special match-day celebration to honour the former forward. Queensland Origin star Selwyn Cobbo also let an arrow celebration rip after scoring a try in Wednesday’s decider.

Thursday night’s contest saw first and second on the AFL ladder clash in a battle that lived up to the hype.

Sydney led by as much as 23 points in the third quarter, with inaccuracy seeing Fremantle kick 11 behinds without a goal to half-time.

But it was all Freo after the main break, getting their act together in front of goal to turn that 23-point deficit into a 38-point win.

They kicked 14 goals to just five after half-time to send a message to the rest of the competition.

Sydney could have stolen top spot on the ladder if the game had continued as it was looking early, but now the Dockers have cemented their two-game lead in first.

Charlie Curnow played his best game in red and white, kicking five goals for the Swans, while Josh Treacy booted four second-half goals for Freo.