NRL grand final entertainment 2022: Jimmy Barnes and family save GF from total disaster

If there is one certainty on rugby league’s biggest day, it is that the NRL grand final pre-match entertainment will divide opinion – and fans haven’t held back.

Jimmy Barnes performs ahead of the 2022 NRL Grand Final. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

If there is one certainty on rugby league’s biggest day, it is that the pre-match entertainment will divide opinion and once again, the NRL polarised fans with their choice of stars.

Rugby league fans took to social media panning the entertainment, lashing hip hop trio Bliss N Eso, while Sheldon Riley received a lukewarm reception, in contrast to the AFL decider’s superstar show headlined by Robbie Williams.

From the macabre darkness of Sheldon Riley to the working class man himself,Jimmy Barnes.#nrlgrandfinal#NRLGF#NRLPanthersEels

— Salvatore Borraccino 💉💉💉 (@RealDeathStare) October 2, 2022

Just bring on Barnesy! #NRLGF#NRLPanthersEels

— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) October 2, 2022

Barnesy 😍#nrlgf

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) October 2, 2022

Thank god jimmy saves the day, the rest 🤭 #NRLPanthersEels

— stephen (@sgk68) October 2, 2022

Thank goodness for Jimmy! #nrlgrandfinal#nrlpantherseels

— Niche Equine (@nicheequine) October 2, 2022

Good old Jimmy Barnes 👏🏼 #NRLPanthersEels#nrlgrandfinal

— David Beeston (@DavidBeeston) October 2, 2022

Robbie Who #NRLGF

— David (@HayzeeDavey) October 2, 2022

The piece de resistance was Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes. The 66-year-old belted out four hits, including Working Class Man and Aint No Second Prize, and while his performance struck a chord with rugby league’s blue-collar folk, others weren’t so impressed.

One pundit lashed Barnes, saying he was old, overweight and reflective of the NRL’s tired, hackneyed grand-final pre-match shows.

Jimmy Barnes during the NRL grand final pre-game entertainment. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“A screaming Jimmy Barnes performance at the NRL Grand Final pre-match entertainment, looked overweight and clumsy,” he said on social media.

“Jimmy needs to take a look at an edge slim and fit Mick Jagger on how to dance around with mic in hand and sing, not scream.”

Another fan said: “The only consistency you ever get in the NRL is terrible grand final entertainment.”