‘Put us to sleep’: AFL Grand Final entertainment savaged by fans

Footy fans were left frustrated as the All-Australian pre-match entertainment filled the Gabba with nothing but melodramatic cover songs.

Mike Brady performs as part of the AFL Grand Final entertainment.

AFL fans ripped into the Grand Final’s pre-match entertainment, which was savaged for its unnecessary amount of melodramatic cover songs.

One of the main criticisms of the pre-match entertainment over the past few years has been the lack of homegrown talent.

In 2018, footy fans were less than impressed when the AFL revealed American pop group The Black Eyed Peas would perform before the Grand Final between the West Coast Eagles and Collingwood.

But thanks primarily to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Grand Final entertainment was stacked with Aussie talent.

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Three-piece rock band DMA’S and indie stars Cub Sport led the All-Australian line-up, which also featured Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale.

Local pop sensation Sheppard then lit up the Gabba at halftime.

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After the Welcome to Country, Electric Fields, Busby and Thelma Plum performed a haunting rendition of Paul Kelly’s classic hit “From Little Things Big Things Grow”.

ABC journalist Lisa Millar tweeted: “This rendition of From Little Things by Electric Fields still gives me goosebumps no matter how many times I hear it.”

For someone who dislikes football, this opening is really lovely so far #AFLGF

— Nicole Ferrie (@nicoleferrie) October 24, 2020

This is all very moving. #AFLGF

— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) October 24, 2020

Oh my god I am hysterically weeping after that amazing welcome to country and opening song at the footy. Profoundly beautiful. #AFLGF #Indigenous @ThelmaPlum_ @ElectricFmusic
That really meant something.

— Madeleine Morris (@Mad_Morris) October 24, 2020

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra & Choir then paid tribute to players who had retired over the past 12 months, overlaid with a recorded performance of “Up There Cazaly” from Mike Brady at the MCG.

Brady strumming his guitar in front of the empty stands at the MCG evoked plenty of reaction from footy supporters.

Sports writer Titus O’Reily posted: “Shots of an empty MCG are just cruel.”

Podcaster Rose Callaghan posted: “Lol my eyes just started leaking at the footage of the empty MCG. IM FINE.”

The Advocate reporter Alex Fair posted: “Shots of an empty MCG though make me sad. It’s almost cruel.”

ESPNcricinfo journalist Daniel Brettig tweeted: “Can’t help but cry laugh at how much better the MCG looks than the Gabba.”

Following “Up There Cazaly”, indie powerhouse Cub Sport performed a mellow cover of Powderfinger classic “These Days”.

However, many viewers became frustrated none of the Australian acts were playing their own music, as cover after cover continued to fill the pre-match agenda.

Nine News presenter Michael Atkinson cheekily tweeted: “Bernard Fanning looks a little different with blonde hair, but at least Powderfinger has featured.”

ABC reporter Daniel Miles posted: “Having a smorgasbord of great Aussie talent singing nothing but covers is a very 2020 vibe.”

Good grief that Powderfinger cover made it sound like they’re gearing up for the most depressing night in history #haveacrybeforekickoff #AFLGF

— Ruth Wynn-Williams (@RuthWW) October 24, 2020

AFL: The night Grand Final entertainment will be amazing!

Also, here’s a bunch of cover bands. #AFLGF

— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) October 24, 2020

Me a few weeks ago: YAY LOOK AT THIS AMAZING LINE UP OF TALENT THEY’VE BOOKED FOR THE AFL GF!

Me now: WHY ARE THEY ALL PLAYING COVERS.

(They’re all SMASHING it but heck, these artists have amazing songs they made themselves what a shame to not let them play ‘em)

— Zan Rowe (@zanrowe) October 24, 2020

DMA’S then nailed their famous cover of Cher’s “Believe”, a significantly toned-down version of the American pop anthem.

Several AFL fans voiced their frustration as the fourth consecutive downbeat song echoed around the Gabba.

Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb tweeted: “There’s a reason ‘stadium rock’ is a thing. I’m not at a grade 11 dance, give me something up tempo.”

ABC News journalist Rebecca Puddy posted: “What even is this average pub cover thing at the GF. Powderfinger and Cher covers not so good.”

Former Carlton star Brendan Fevola tweeted: “Bring back meatloaf … what was that.”

I love this cover but my god it’s the wrong vibe right now #AFLGF

— Matt Smithson (@mattsmithson) October 24, 2020

Any original songs coming up in the pre-match entertainment? #AFLGF

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) October 24, 2020

Let’s hope @GeelongCats performance is better than the warm up acts 🤣 #AFLGF #GeelongStrong (I know nothing about AFL but supporting the SIL @MichaelaBerry94) 💪🏼

— Greer Berry (@GreerBerry) October 24, 2020

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But the tone immediately shifted when Andrew Stockdale led an explosive performance of Wolfmother hit “Joker and the Thief”.

Fevola seemingly preferred the heavier music, tweeting: “Now this is better.”

AFL General Manager of Commercial Kylie Rogers said the AFL Grand Final would be an incredible opportunity to promote the Queensland music and arts community.

“On the back of an All-Australian line-up at last year’s Grand Final, we know there is incredible support to bring together local talent again this year,” Rogers said in a statement.

“We have some of the best of Australia’s musical talent performing, with a unique sound and collection of voices – from the Torres Strait down to the south-coast – we’re proud to be delivering another All-Australian billing for the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final.”