AFL and NRL Grand Final weekend gaffes, wrong ads and entertainment shocker

THE SCG got a little ahead of themselves in anticipation for a Swans victory, and an Australian newspaper also had an unfortunate mixup for the Bulldogs.

Oops. SCG posts pre-emptive winning message to Swans.

THERE isn’t a bigger week than Grand Final week in the AFL and NRL.

So you’d think everyone would be as switched on as the players taking the field.

Sadly, that wasn’t the case this weekend.

EAR ACHE: RICHIE SAMBORA PANNED FOR NRL GF PERFORMANCE

NAME CHECK: NRL’S EMBARRASSING ERROR FOR RETIRING STAR

As the Western Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks won fairytale flags perhaps there were a few too many pre- and post-game celebratory drinks being enjoyed.

It started on Saturday when the SCG - the home of the Sydney Swans - posted a pre-built congratulatory message on their website for their returning warriors in red and white.

Oops. SCG posts pre-emptive winning message to Swans.

The message read: “Congratulations on winning the 2016 premiership” in a post to invite fans to the ground to celebrate the return of their victorious Sydney side — only they didn’t win and the day was cancelled.

The AFL gaffes continued on Monday with The Age publishing a “better luck, next time” ad from the Western Bulldogs’ major sponsor Victoria University.

Don’t worry Dogs fans, it wasn’t a dream. Your boys claimed their first premiership in more than 60 years.

The Bulldogs reaction on Twitter was spot on but to be honest, we’re surprised their media team was up that early on Monday morning after premiership celebrations continued on Sunday after the team’s massive family day turnout.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #bemorebulldog https://t.co/BJETEyQ5DY

— Western Bulldogs 🏆 (@westernbulldogs) October 2, 2016

The NRL wasn’t immune to a mistake.

The Grand Final pre-match entertainment had a couple of shockers.

As the game celebrated it’s retiring stars, Wests Tigers forward Dene Halatau was forced to walk out onto ANZ Stadium with an embarrassing spelling error.

As each retiree walked out they were followed close behind by someone carrying a flag with their name written on it.

But Halatau’s name was spelt incorrectly. It was written “Dean” instead of “Dene”.

YOU HAD ONE JOB #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/JQn1vQsSEb

— maureen larkin (@maur_l) October 2, 2016

Oops. The New Zealand international only played close to 250 first grade games and won a premiership with Wests in 2005.

So, you know. Probably should have got that right.

It didn’t end there for the NRL with former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora putting in a horror performance in the pre-match entertainment.

Sambora, 57, looked like he’d seen better days as he struggled vocally to sing two Bon Jovi hits - Living on a Prayer and Wanted: Dead or Alive - with his Australian girlfriend, Orianthi, 31.

“Holy wow,” wrote musician Phil Jamieson of Grinspoon fame.

The #NRLGF might be having their Meatloaf moment.....

— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) October 2, 2016

Sambora fired back at critics on Monday, tweeting “it’s ok if people don’t dig where I’m going artistily”.

Thankfully, Australian country music superstar Keith Urban saved the day though when he took to the stage with Jessica Mauboy to perform his hit track, The Fighter.

I did not get mean... It's ok if people don't dig where I'm going artistily..it's ok. God bless you all. Just bringin all my love...

— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) October 2, 2016

Originally published as AFL and NRL Grand Final weekend gaffes, wrong ads and entertainment shocker