‘Screw them’: Amy Shark launches scathing attack on NRL

Australian musician Amy Shark has launched a blistering attack on the NRL, calling out the league for “screwing around artists”.

Australian musician Amy Shark has taken aim at the NRL in a blistering and unexpected attack while performing at the AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide on Wednesday night.

Performing in front of more than 260 VIP guests including AFL club CEOs, presidents, and South Australian government officials, Shark savaged the NRL in between her songs at the AFL’s Gather Round dinner at Penfolds Magill Estate.

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The 38-year-old, who worked at NRL club the Gold Coast Titans as a video producer before making it big in the music world, did not mince her words as she called out the NRL for “screwing around artists”.

Shark sunk the boots into the NRL at the AFL’s Gather Round dinner. (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“I’m from Queensland so unfortunately - I’ve had NRL pushed in front of me, which kind of sucks,’’ she said.

“I’m not just saying that because I’m playing tonight — you guys (at the AFL), you know what’s up. We don’t need to totally drill the NRL into the ground but you guys know what’s up.

“In case someone is filming this … actually you know what, screw them, honestly they just screw around artists, you guys actually understand artists, thank you for doing that.”

News.com.au reached out to the NRL in relation to Shark’s remarks, the league declined the offer to provide comment.

Shark called out the NRL for “screwing around artists”. (Photo by Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

While the context behind Shark’s outburst is unclear, her scathing remarks come five years after she found herself on the receiving end of fierce backlash following her pre-game NRL Grand Final performance in 2020.

The eight-time ARIA winner, whose real name is Amy Louise Billings, was brutally called out at the time with many stating her act had missed the mark.

Journalist Ed Jackson tweeted: “Whether you like Amy Shark’s music or not, I think it’s completely fair to say she’s not the right artist for a pre-game show. Bring some energy. Get people amped.”

A second wrote: “I’m not a fan of Amy Shark - and acknowledge she is very talented - but the Triple J vibe really isn’t Grand Final entertainment-worthy.”

A third added: “Amy Shark … beautiful girl and talented, but completely wrong for the NRL Grand Final.”

Shark’s performance didn’t go down well with viewers. Picture: Brett Costello

It is unclear if that scathing response to her performance had anything to do with Shark’s remarks at Gather Round this week.

Shark has previously credited the Titans for helping to launch her music career.

“I played everywhere,” Shark said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2020.

“I played at the corporate rooms, on the field. That club believed in me so much. I am so appreciative.

“That’s why I can’t not follow them and why I will always owe them.”

Those remarks sit in stark contrast to her blistering attack on the NRL as the AFL’s Gather Round got underway on Thursday night.

With Gather Round taking over the city of Adelaide for the third year of a four-year deal, AFL boss Andrew Dillon said the league was loving their partnership with the state, but didn’t rule out moving the footy festival around the country.

“We like long-term partnerships, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look at other opportunities around the country,” Dillon said.

“We have a great partnership with the SA government.

“Gather Round is actually — and quite simply — the best of footy and the best of our game.”

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said they must continue to succeed if they want to keep Gather Round in the City of Churches.

“If we can make the third better than the second, that’s the best thing we can do to advance our cause,” Malinauskas said.

“All the numbers are pointing in the right direction.

“I don’t want to be misleading anyone - I wouldn’t have any expectation that there’s going to be a big announcement this weekend.”