‘WHAT IS THIS’: NRL Grand Final’s pre-match entertainment roasted

The NRL Grand Final’s pre-match entertainment featured the very best and very worst of Australian music, with footy fans perplexed by some of the choices.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated clash between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs, 39,000 spectators at Suncorp Stadium witnessed a 20-minute musical performance featuring hit songs from the 1980s right through to today.

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The lights were switched off at 6pm local time, and the Brisbane crowd was treated to a quick fireworks display.

Globetrotting DJs the Stafford Brothers and instrumentalist Timmy Trumpet then performed a collection of synth-heavy pop hits, packed with energy and throbbing basses.

However, the electronic beats admittedly seemed more suited for a 15-year-old’s birthday party rather than the NRL Grand Final.

Needless to say, not everyone loved their performance.

Immediately after, Indigenous dance troupe Nunukul Yuggera hit the stage with a gorgeous performance before the main attraction arrived a few minutes later.

Aussie pop sensation Kate Miller-Heidke, accompanied by internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player William Barton and rock legend Ian Moss, played an anthemic rendition of Cold Chisel pub rock classic “Flame Trees”.

Unfortunately, there appeared to be some issues with Barton’s microphone.

Moss then took charge to perform his 1989 hit song “Tucker’s Daughter”. His vocals and guitar skills were as crisp as they were 30 years ago.

Miller-Heidke and Moss were also accompanied by a talented 40-piece orchestra.

While some poked fun at how the pre-match show started, fans were won over when Miller-Heidke and Moss took centre stage.

Sports reporter Simon Brunsdon posted: “Did not expect Kate Miller-Heidke to get me so pumped up for an NRL grand final, but here we are. Good stuff.”

AFL great Brendan Fevola tweeted: “NRL nailed the pre game entertainment. Ian moss wow.”

“Performing at the 2015 grand final with Cold Chisel was one of those career moments that we all look to play, so to be asked back to perform at the 2021 Telstra Premiership grand final at Suncorp Stadium here in the beautiful Sunshine State is an honour,” Moss said last week.

“And to share the stage with the immensely talented Kate Miller-Heidke and William Barton is such an added bonus and a true gift. I can‘t wait.”

Miller-Heidke represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, performing her song “Zero Gravity”. She also sang the Australian national anthem ahead of kick-off.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and proud to get to sing at the grand final – it’s a huge honour,” she said.

The league’s retirees were farewelled earlier in the evening, including the likes of Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner, Melbourne Storm icon Cameron Smith and Brisbane Broncos skipper Alex Glenn.

The pre-match entertainment before last weekend’s AFL Grand Final in Perth was widely hailed as one of the best experiences in recent memory.