You gotta Rugby League. Despite making headlines for all the wrong reasons of late, the ground swell of support for one their own, Alex McKinnon, has been overwhelming.
NRL supporters have donated more than $1.1 million for injured Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon, after a bucket appeal and the sale of wristbands at Hunter Stadium on Sunday raised $30,000 alone.
The huge fund-raising effort comes as NRL players consider whether to endorse a proposed insurance policy that may not pay them as big a sum if they were to suffer such a catastrophic injury. McKinnon, who was left with a "devastating spinal injury" after a lifting tackle in the round-three clash with Melbourne at AAMI Stadium, will need the money to meet the cost of medical bills, housing suitable for his mobility and movement, essential physiotherapy equipment and treatment as he strives to walk again.
The NRL has donated $1 for each of the 136,671 fans who attended the seven matches played so far in this weekend's Rise For Alex round, while AAMI Stadium and the SCG Trust provided an additional $1 for each person who passed through the turnstiles at their venues for Storm-Raiders and Roosters-Panthers games. In total. $162,143 has been raised from ticket sales, and St George Illawarra are still to host Manly at Kogarah Oval on tonight (Monday).
If you would like to donate to the Rise for Alex Appeal click HERE