An all-star ensemble of Australian musicians is set to take part in this weekend’s NRL grand final pre-game entertainment.
Pop sensation Amy Shark is leading the performance, alongside members from Newcastle favourites and Better hit-makers The Screaming Jets, electronic duo Peking Duk, plus rock groups Grinspoon, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.
The all-Australian supergroup will soundtrack an on-ground tribute to South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow, who told ABC earlier this week he knew “nothing” about plans for him to take a lap of honour around Stadium Australia on Sunday.
The ABC understands that Shark, who performed at the 2020 NRL grand final, and company will perform a series of cover songs, including the Gerry and the Pacemakers’ song and Liverpool FC anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Each musician’s appearance fee is reportedly being donated to motor neurone disease causes.
The Screaming Jets were among the acts speculated by fans to replace Tones And I. (Supplied: The Screaming Jets)
News of the supergroup musical tribute comes after the NRL’s negotiations to secure Tones And I fell through, leaving the grand final without a pre-match entertainment headliner.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the issue centred on the NRL’s insistence that she perform her 2019 mega-hit Dance Monkey, which she had refused to do.
However, the musician’s team confirmed that prior commitments touring with Macklemore in the US left her unable to accept the offer when it was made in September.
“Nothing was signed or confirmed in writing,” Tones and I’s management said.
“Due to the last-minute nature and prior commitments by Tones, we were unable to accept the offer.”
It sparked speculation over potential replacements for pre-match entertainment, including Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns ruling out rumours that the band would be reuniting to cheer on their home team, the Newcastle Knights
Jai Arrow was awarded the Provan-Summons Medal at the 2026 Dally M Awards for embodying the spirit of the game. (Getty Images: Don Arnold/WireImage)
Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’Landys told the ABC the money spent on pre-match entertainment — running close to $1 million — could be put to better use.
“I’d prefer to see 20,000 underprivileged kids who can’t afford to play rugby league play rugby league, rather than spend $1 million on 11 minutes of a musical performance,” he said.
“You spend money to get outcomes, and I think it’s a better outcome to get kids that can’t afford to play with their mates, gear etc, to play rugby league.”
Peter V’landys said money set aside for pre-match entertainment would be invested in junior rugby league. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor)
V’landys also said the league would be donating $100,000 to Arrow’s family, following the Rabbitohs player’s departure from the NRL earlier this year after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The grand final has regularly featured pre-match entertainment, including international pop star Teddy Swims last year, and previous acts such as Billy Idol and Tina Turner.
“Our game sells itself,” said V’landys.
“People come to watch rugby league. They don’t come to watch a pop concert.”
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