Arrow dodges a bullet and set for Anzac Day return in rare good news for Rabbitohs

There was some rare good news for South Sydney during the week when Jai Arrow passed a crucial fitness test on his shoulder that could have just as easily ended his season.

Arrow injured his left shoulder in Las Vegas, but opted for a steady rehabilitation process rather than going under the knife and missing the season.

The representative forward arrived for training on Wednesday knowing if his shoulder failed to survive a gruelling defensive session, his year was done.

Arrow not only survived, he declared himself a starter for Thursday’s Anzac Day clash against Melbourne.

His return could not come at a better time for Souths, who have lost prop Junior Tatola for up to three months with a foot fracture, not to mention Latrell Mitchell’s three-match suspension.

Jai Arrow is back for Souths after his shoulder survived a gruelling defensive session.

Arrow insisted he will not play with painkilling needles and will likely play in the middle rather than on the edge, so he can ideally minimise his lateral movement and the chances of having to reach out to make a tackle, further risking his shoulder.

“I did something to my rotator-cuff tendon; it’s a weird one and hard to explain, and I’m the last person who knows how to explain it,” Arrow said. “But I’d been doing my rehab and this week they wanted to test me out.

“Don’t get me wrong, it was always in the back of my mind whether it was going to hold up.

“I got told pretty early if the shoulder was no good, I’d need surgery, and I’d be out for the year. I was prepared for that on Wednesday. But there were no scary moments. It will now come down to pain management.

“I won’t play with needles. It’s my call. There’s no pressure from the club, but if I need a needle, I’ll only be a liability out there. I don’t want to go out half-arsed and be that liability for the boys.

“I got through it, so it looks like I’ll definitely play next week. I’m excited to be back playing some footy.”

Arrow came into last season with a hamstring injury, reinjured it in round one, then missed a couple of months in the middle of the year when he was the victim of a hip-drop tackle and busted his ankle.

Souths head to Melbourne with the spotlight firmly on coach Jason Demetriou, whose heavyweight side sits 1-5. Penrith await the following week.

Arrow has been frustrated by the constant heat on the coach, who was this week joined by new assistant Dave Furner.

“It’s tough to talk about because I feel sorry for him and his family and what he’s gone through,” Arrow said of Demetriou. “As a player, it’s my job and duty to go out and play for him, and play good footy.”

Jye Gray will retain the No.1 jersey in Mitchell’s absence and will have two weeks to nail his fullback audition and keep the job permanently.

Arrow said he had quickly adopted Gray as his “son”, partly because of his first name, and partly because he was also from the Gold Coast.

“When I noticed he was an absolute gun, I thought I might as well claim him as my son,” Arrow said. “People have spoken about his height, but he’s deceptively strong, and he’s got a big heart.”

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