We never thought we’d see a touchdown in AFL but…
After copping years of flak for packing its Grand Final entertainment lineups with pricey international has-beens (*cough* Meatloaf *cough*), while overlooking the oodles of talent on the home squad, the footy code has finally announced an All-Aussie bill of pre-game entertainment for 2016’s Big Decider.
Punters at this season’s GF will be treated to performances from both indie crooner Vance Joy and punk rock icons The Living End, who are both first string choices if you ask us:
Talent 
Relevance
Cross-generational appeal
But that’s not all. As well as being recruited to serenade 100,000 ticket-holders as part of the pre-game festivities at the MCG on Saturday, 1st October, Vance and The Living End lads will also be sticking around after the match to kick off a FREE CONCERT at the G, which anyone and everyone is welcome attend.
Fkn GOAL.
“It is a pleasure to announce two home-grown acts, both of whom have breathed football for the entirety of their lives, to perform during the Virgin Australia Pre-Game Show and Premiership Party on Toyota AFL Grand Final Day,” AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said in a statement.
And TLE frontman Chris Cheney was obviously chuffed for the call-up, saying the band are pretty bloody honoured to get the chance to combine their two loves:
“The Living End have always been proud to call ourselves a Melbourne band and we all grew up loving football and rock’n’roll, so to have the chance to rock the G on Grand Final day is a career highlight.
There are few gigs rarer and more prestigious than playing at the AFL Grand Final.
It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and we couldn’t be more honoured and excited to be a part of footy’s biggest day of the year.”
And don’t be fooled by Vance’s tender indie folk stylings, he’s just as a mad footy fan as your loudmouth uncle Robbo.
“I’ve been watching the AFL Grand Final for as long as I can remember, it’s an absolute honour and dream to be able to perform at the game on October 1,” he said.
Today’s big announcement comes after AFL Grand Final entertainment producer Michael Gudinski copped to pissing fans off in the past with the lack of local talent on the pre-game lineup.
So this is the great news for Aussie football, music and society in general (but not so great news for Steel Panther fans).
100 points to the AFL, and may the competitors you prefer in this year’s big game defeat their opposing equivalents! Go sports!
Watch: Meatloaf Performs At The 2011 AFL Grand Final
