NRL grand final entertainment: Mixed reviews as stars light up Suncorp Stadium

Locked down fans has certainly boosted some numbers and the 2021 NRL Grand Final TV ratings paint an interesting picture. One state’s audience however was halved.

The Penrith Panthers’ triumphant NRL grand final win has proved to be a ratings winner with the game drawing a national audience of more than 3.2 million people to our television screens.

It was the top rating NRL grand final in four years with 2.2 million Australians in the five city metro markets watching the Panthers defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 14-12 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

That compares to five city metro viewing numbers of 2.1 million watching Melbourne Storm beat the Panthers in 2020.

In Sydney alone last night, 1.12 million viewers watched the grand final while a further 558,000 tuned in to the game in Brisbane. In Melbourne, the number was 313,000 viewers.

“The match was up close to 100,000 year on year, which was a modest increase given there were two Sydney teams in the grand final,” industry commentator and Mediaweek editor James Manning said.

“The impact of no (Melbourne) Storm in the grand final saw the Melbourne audience halve from 608,000 in 2020 to 313,000 this year.

The Panthers celebrate victory

Overall it is a good result given many live TV audience numbers have been trending down.”

Sydney’s number could have been impacted by the fact that 3000 homes in Rabbitohs heartland suburbs of Kingsford, South Coogee, Coogee, Randwick and Maroubra suffered a blackout during the game on Sunday night.

A further 363,000 viewers streamed the grand final live on 9Now, which brings the total audience across TV and broadcast video on demand (BVOD) to 3.596 million.

Looking back at figures over the past five years, 2.3 million five city metro viewers tuned in to see the Melbourne vs North Queensland grand final in 2017.

The following year, 2.13 million watched the Sydney Roosters-Melbourne Storm game, and in 2019 an audience of 1.86 million tuned in for the decider between the Roosters and Canberra.

NRL GRAND FINAL ENTERTAINMENT ROASTED

The Panthers and Rabbitohs weren’t the only stars to take to Suncorp Stadium for NRL grand final night.

Ahead of the NRL grand final, a host of big-names hit the field to lead the pre-game entertainment.

Queensland star Kate Miller-Heidke was joined by Cold Chisel’s Ian Moss, the Stafford Brothers, Timmy Trumpet, Aboriginal didgeridoo player William Barton and a 40-piece Orchestra will complete the entertainment.

And it’s fair to say the reaction from fans wasn’t exactly glowing, with fans taking particular aim at the opening acts.

NRL grand final entertainment at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: NRL Photos

Timmy Trumpet bringing less power than Billy Idol in 2002 pic.twitter.com/JIgcjc3WiK

— martin (@causeforalarm_) October 3, 2021

If Timmy Trumpet is playing the #NRLGF, who is playing the Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour circa 2008?

— League By The Fireplace (@leaguebythefire) October 3, 2021

What in the fresh hell is this?!? #NRLGF#nrl

— Heidi Ponting (@heidiponting) October 3, 2021

Cue the #NRLGF pre game entertainment kills the #AFLGF pre game entertainment takes.

— Max Blake (@maxblake44) October 3, 2021

I refuse to believe Timmy Trumpet can actually play the trumpet. #NRLGF

— Alex Conrad (@alexhconrad) October 3, 2021

Dance music as pregame entertainment gets 2/10 for me #NRLGF

— Kieran L (@kieran_shaker) October 3, 2021

$1,000 bounty for Timmy Trumpet’s trumpet.#NRLGF

— Dragons Supporters (@M_B_D_S) October 3, 2021

I feel like these two would have done a better rendition at the grand final entertainment #nrlgfpic.twitter.com/d56rP5KwVx

— Andrew Brown (@AndrewBrownAU) October 3, 2021

Who likes Cold Chisel? 'Cause we've got one of 'em! #NRLGFpic.twitter.com/5DKQGebXWo

— Steven Russo (@russos1991) October 3, 2021

They weren’t all bad reviews, however.

Kate Miller-Heidke and Ian Moss really showed the Stafford brothers #NRLGF

— Cam Hawker (@camhawker) October 3, 2021

Ian Moss here to save the show. #NRLGF

— Matt (@Mattys123) October 3, 2021

Kate Miller-Heidke.... what a voice!!#NRLGF

— Tim Miller (@timmiller_NAFC) October 3, 2021

If I had to pick my favourite song it’s this #flametrees#nrlgf

— Dee Madigan (@deemadigan) October 3, 2021

Is there anything Kate Miller-Heidke can't do? Just beautiful. #NRLGF#PantherPride

— Princess Slayer 💉 (@Belinda07749345) October 3, 2021

Big fan of how indigenous acts have become a highlight of Grand Final entertainment. Really adds to the spectacle. 🔴⚫️🟡 #NRLGFpic.twitter.com/iYg5oOlUuA

— Anthony Everard (@AnthonyEverard5) October 3, 2021

They don’t make them like they used to!

How good is Ian Moss at the #NRLGF!

— Lisa Lemon 🍋💛 (@LisaLemon09) October 3, 2021

How good is Ian Moss 🙌 #GoRabbitohs#NRLGF#GloryBound

— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) October 3, 2021

NRL grand final: Panthers v Rabbitohs — follow the action LIVE

Ahead of the grand final, Miller-Heidke told The Courier-Mail she couldn’t be more grateful to be in Brisbane during the pandemic.

“Brisbane, without exaggeration, is the arts capital of Australia right now,” she said.

“I can actually work. It’s been so surreal to get back to the stage.”