NRL Grand Final pre-match entertainment wows fans

The NRL has been blown away by an unlikely trio in the grand final pre-match entertainment at Accor Stadium on Sunday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Mahalia Barnes performs in the pre-match entertainment before the NRLW Grand Final. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Mahalia Barnes and Emma Donovan have blown fans away on NRL Grand Final day.

Barnes, the daughter of Aussie rock icon Jimmy Barnes, took the stage before the NRLW Grand Final at Accor Stadium just a few hours before the Cold Chisel front man gets ready to lead the official pre-match entertainment.

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Mahalia Barnes teamed up with Emma Donovan and Western Sydney’s queen of hip-hop A. GIRL to perform iconic Aussie classic, “The Real Thing”.

The collaboration between the three artists of different styles had fans wanting more.

Channel 9’s Luke Bradnam posted on Twitter: “What a voice! I’m now really hoping for a Barnsey and Barnsey cover of Simply the Best”.

Mahalia Barnes is a better singer than her father #NRLWGF

— Flagmantle (@joodoff) October 2, 2022

Wooooooo @MahaliaBarnes killing it on #NRLGF day!

— Laura (@wantyrchokehold) October 2, 2022

Wow @MahaliaBarnes and Emma Donovan + band what a great song! Mow ma mow mow ma ma mow mow! 🤣💕#NRLGFhttps://t.co/R2P28U7OXy

— MarleyMae 💞💐💉💉 🚀 (@Marley_Mae_1) October 2, 2022

Her voice might have something to do with. She's amazing. A chip of the old man's block.#MahaliaBarnes#NRLGF

— Julie Williams (@JulieWilliams81) October 2, 2022

Barnes, a powerhouse soul and blues vocalist, has set the bar high for when he dad walks onto the field tonight.

It was estimated by Channel 9 that the trio’s performance was watched by more than 40,000 fans. More than 80,000 fans will be there for kick-off tonight.

Mahalia Barnes performs. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

The star-studded line-up. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Fans were blown away. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Jimmy Barnes, meanwhile, is getting ready to perform the NRL Grand Final for the second time — seven years after he rocked the stage at the 2015 grand final, supported by the rest of the Cold Chisel line-up.

It’s been a wild week for Barnes, having been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of South Australia earlier in the week alongside legendary Star Trek actor George Takei.

The NRL Grand Final is scheduled to start at 7.30pm and will be broadcast live on Channel 9 and Nine Now.

NRL Grand Final Timetable

Jimmy Barnes at the 2015 NRL Grand Final. Picture Gregg Porteous

1pm – Gates Open

1.20pm — NRL State Championship, Penrith Panthers v Norths Devils

3:30pm — NRLW Grand Final Pre-Game Show — Mahalia Barnes, A. GIRL, Emma Donovan

3.55pm — NRLW Grand Final, Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels

6:30pm — NRL Grand Final Pre-Game Show — Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Josh Teskey, Emma Donovan, Sheldon Riley

7.30pm — NRL Grand Final kicks off, Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels