2026 Season
- Thread starter Celticman98
- Start date
danknights
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Surely the fabulous caprettos would be a good start. Plenty of recognisable Aussie artists and cheaper than that tones and I 
Matty James
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Surely grab The Wiggles. Hot Potato would go off in the mosh pit.
bremsstrahlung
Lee Jackson
I’m still a little baffled why Tones and I was the leading contender.
Maybe I’m making some presumptions here, but doesn’t really suit the demographic of people going to the NRL Grand Final, nor does it fit the category of making people want to go or at least making them tune in.
Maybe I’m making some presumptions here, but doesn’t really suit the demographic of people going to the NRL Grand Final, nor does it fit the category of making people want to go or at least making them tune in.
Die Hard
Mike McLean
Indeed, people might have avoided going to or watching the gf to avoid listening to her.
Tackleslikeagirl
Willie Mason
I think the question is probably what the NRL demographic actually looks like these days, because it’s changed significantly.
Tones and I is Australian, she is one of the most streamed female artists globally, has opened for massive international acts (I saw her open for Pink) and has worked with artists like Macklemore and Teddy Swims, both of whom the NRL has previously worked with. Those credentials suggest she has the broad mainstream appeal and contemporary profile the NRL may be looking for as it tries to connect with a younger, more diverse audience.
She might not be everyone’s personal choice for Grand Final entertainment, but I can understand why the NRL would consider her. Choosing an artist with strong streaming numbers, international recognition and crossover appeal reflects the league’s broader entertainment strategy, rather than simply catering to the traditional rugby league audience. It’s nice to reminisce about the old days of rugby league, but it’s also worth acknowledging that the game has changed, and so has its fan base. The traditional working class suburban male demographic of decades ago is now only one part of a much broader audience, and the NRL’s entertainment choices increasingly reflect that shift.
Plus can we all remember the shocking display at the AFL from meatloaf! I literally grew up with his music and very much enjoy it but the aging male rocker really didn’t hit the target either
Tackleslikeagirl
Willie Mason
You might want any to google how popular she is.
Die Hard
Mike McLean
According to YouTube music she has one song in the billions and the rest less than a hundred million. Alex Warren who is also lesser known like her has more than double her monthly listeners. She was also refusing to play the one song that everyone actually likes. I am well aware of her, but for grand final entertainment she hardly makes the mark imo.
Tackleslikeagirl
Willie Mason
I’m simply pointing out her popularity. It will also depend if you want to look at current momentum or all time breaking records.
Was she actually refusing to play dance monkey? Or did they just find a quote where she said she has a complicated relationship with the song many years ago as an excuse. I saw her headline for pink years after this quote and she certainly sang it! Her management came out today and said nothing had been finalised, it was short notice and she had prior arrangements which she couldn’t move despite trying.
We are clearly not privy to the contract details or discussions but surely the NRL should have also had entertainment booked in way before the start of September.
Always two sides to a story but here is hers. Also seems convenient that PLV has said after the negotiations fell though, that he was considering dropping entertainment anyway and now has a sudden change of heart and wants to invest in grass roots footy with that money. PLV is good at spin.
Tones And I reveals why she turned down NRL grand final
Tones And I has broken her silence after the NRL declared it will forego a grand final tradition of pre-match entertainment.
www.abc.net.au
Tackleslikeagirl
Willie Mason
Greg can serenade us all at the parade in Newy when we have the trophy coming home
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I'm pretty sure with the grand final entertainment, they're trying to expand the audience, not cater to the one who'd watch the game anyway.
bremsstrahlung
Lee Jackson
I think the question is probably what the NRL demographic actually looks like these days, because it’s changed significantly.
Tones and I is Australian, she is one of the most streamed female artists globally, has opened for massive international acts (I saw her open for Pink) and has worked with artists like Macklemore and Teddy Swims, both of whom the NRL has previously worked with. Those credentials suggest she has the broad mainstream appeal and contemporary profile the NRL may be looking for as it tries to connect with a younger, more diverse audience.
She might not be everyone’s personal choice for Grand Final entertainment, but I can understand why the NRL would consider her. Choosing an artist with strong streaming numbers, international recognition and crossover appeal reflects the league’s broader entertainment strategy, rather than simply catering to the traditional rugby league audience. It’s nice to reminisce about the old days of rugby league, but it’s also worth acknowledging that the game has changed, and so has its fan base. The traditional working class suburban male demographic of decades ago is now only one part of a much broader audience, and the NRL’s entertainment choices increasingly reflect that shift.
Plus can we all remember the shocking display at the AFL from meatloaf! I literally grew up with his music and very much enjoy it but the aging male rocker really didn’t hit the target either
Yeah, idk, I guess it’s such a personal thing, music taste. I don’t mind some of her things, just for the record, her famed Dance Monkey gives me the jeebies though since it was overplayed to oblivion, but can appreciate her talent and not a “hater” by any stretch.
After a bit of a google, to see what I may have been missing - I was whelmed.
She doesn’t really appear to be in the Australian charts ARIA, Spotify charts both globally and Australian, doesn’t feature in Triple J countdowns of recent years.
Her last tour was mostly pubs/hotel venue spaces. As opposed to the likes of Hordern, Enmore, etc.
Idk, there just doesn’t seem much hype or momentum around her at the moment to market as a drawcard.
Not doubting her credentials as such, nor meaning to discredit her- NYE, opera house and formula 1 - back a few years for some of these.
I could understand them getting a K-Pop band, or Olivia dean, sombr, or somebody in the ARIAS top 50, or Spotify or whatever their metrics are. Doesn’t have to be the “blokey” rock band.
At least it’s not the Jonas Brothers though - that NFL show was dire.
Even Meatloaf would generate a bit of media attention, as horrible as the afl show was.
Each to their own, I’m just trying to approach it as a neutral. There’s definitely worse options.
Anyway, does this mean 100m sprint challenge is still on the cards?
Newygirl
Adam Woolnough
Her “popularity” is skewed by the fact that Dance Monkey has so many Spotify plays.
In 2026, there’s still way better options to get casual viewers which is why Channel Nine will rightly be pissed there’s nothing at all, given how much they pay to broadcast the GF.
Olivia Dean, Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Tame Impala, or even King Gizzard are all touring here in October. They’ve had a year to organise this and apparently only even reached out to Tones and I in September.
The Grassroots Donation, is PR 101 for “we ****ed up” and pretty meaningless there should already be plenty allocated to junior footy from the new broadcast deal they just signed
In 2026, there’s still way better options to get casual viewers which is why Channel Nine will rightly be pissed there’s nothing at all, given how much they pay to broadcast the GF.
Olivia Dean, Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Tame Impala, or even King Gizzard are all touring here in October. They’ve had a year to organise this and apparently only even reached out to Tones and I in September.
The Grassroots Donation, is PR 101 for “we ****ed up” and pretty meaningless there should already be plenty allocated to junior footy from the new broadcast deal they just signed
I did hear about a month ago, that the NRL was trying to get someone else, but that fell through late, so they pivoted to Tones and I.
I can’t remember where I heard it or if that’s even true, let alone who they were supposedly after. But it would explain why they were still trying to lock in Tones and I in September
I'm 67 & even I like Post Malone
Celticman98
Timana Tahu
Just listened to that Tones and I song. Calling that song bad is a understatement and I couldn't finish the song and 90 seconds wasted.
Definitely better without her performing.
Definitely better without her performing.
Tackleslikeagirl
Willie Mason
Things you can do at half time instead of watching any Half time show
- Check your same game multis to see which ones are dead in the water and which ones are still running
- Stock up on a few beers/cold beverages or snacks so you dont have to get up and get them
- Come on marathon stadium and share your views on the game (or Gee's terrible refereeing if he's in charge)
- Talk smack to your mates who are Panthers or Roosters fans if they are losing at HT
- Put the kids/nephews/nieces/grand kids to bed and make sure they're ready for bed for those who have them
- Feed the cat/dog walk the dog if the weather permits
- Rub one out over Dom Young highlights (GF if permitted or Prelims)
Hope this helps
- Check your same game multis to see which ones are dead in the water and which ones are still running
- Stock up on a few beers/cold beverages or snacks so you dont have to get up and get them
- Come on marathon stadium and share your views on the game (or Gee's terrible refereeing if he's in charge)
- Talk smack to your mates who are Panthers or Roosters fans if they are losing at HT
- Put the kids/nephews/nieces/grand kids to bed and make sure they're ready for bed for those who have them
- Feed the cat/dog walk the dog if the weather permits
- Rub one out over Dom Young highlights (GF if permitted or Prelims)
Hope this helps