Newcastle icons Silverchair to attend the NRL grand final as celebrities flock to the stands
It’s the biggest night on the NRL calendar and the stars are sure to be out in full force at the Knights v Roosters grand final at Accor Stadium, including iconic Newcastle rockers Silverchair.
Ben Gillies’ wife Jackie Gillies announced on Instagram that he and “the boys” – bandmates Daniel Johns and Chris Joannou – are attending to cheer Newcastle on.
Silverchair won’t be performing, but they will be in the crowd. Getty
Sadly, Jackie had to stay home to watch her and Ben’s two children.
“My gorgeous husband Ben is going with the boys to the grand final tonight. I was meant to go, but everybody was busy,” she said in an Instagram video.
“For the first time ever, I had no contenders to help me babysit my children, so I will be watching the game from my TV box.
“And I just want to say, if any of you see Benny, which you will in the crowd, go up, say hello, take a photo, and tag me in, so I feel like I’m in there.”
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Some fans had hoped Silverchair would reunite and play before kick-off in honour of the Knights’ first grand final in 25 years, but it wasn’t to be.
New Zealand professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer Carlos Ulberg hit the field before kick-off and posed with Andrew Johns for a cheeky snap.
Aussie influencers Those Carter Boys, who famously attended the most recent Olympic Games in sparkly green and gold mini dresses, were also in attendance.
Carlos Ulberg looked thrilled to be at the NRL grand final with the UFC team. Instagram/@carlosulberg
Influencers Those Carter Boys posed with mates before kickoff. Instagram/@thosecarterboys
Earlier on Sunday, Australian swimwear founder Mimi Bowell posted a snap cheering on the Knights in support of her new beau, Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga.
Mimi Bowell and a friend show their support for the Newcastle Knights. Instagram/@mimibowell
Amy Shark arrived well before the crowds to prepare for her role in the pre-game musical tribute to Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow, who was forced into retirement after a shock motor neurone disease diagnosis.
She landed in hot water on Friday, when comments she made about the NRL underpaying musical acts in 2025 resurfaced.
On Saturday, she brushed off the drama with an Instagram post captioned: “11 months ago. I love the game ... don’t believe the noise”.
Amy Shark prepares to perform at the NRL grand final. Instagram/@amyshark
This is a historic night for the Newcastle Knights, which finished the season at the bottom of the ladder in 2025 and haven’t made it to a grand final in 25 years.
They’ll be taking on the Roosters, who won the 2018 and 2019 premierships back to back and have been fighting to get back to a grand final ever since.
The actual sport was overshadowed by a pre-game entertainment debacle in the fortnight leading up to it.
The NRL grand final entertainment debacle kicked off after talks with Tones and I collapsed last week. Supplied
Inside the grand final entertainment debacle
Initially, the NRL was working with Aussie singer Tones and I to headline the show, but those talks fell through less than a fortnight before the big game.
NRL boss Peter V’landys then decided to can the entertainment altogether, announcing the money for it would go to grassroots programs instead.
He then backflipped a few days later and promised fans a “big surprise” before kick-off that would be “the highest-rating 11 minutes you will ever see”.
About a day later, he announced that instead of a traditional pre-game show, the NRL would honour Arrow with a tribute before kick-off.
Jai Arrow and his wife Berina Colakovic arrive at the Dally M awards on Wednesday. Getty
He said it would include a victory lap and a performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers, though he didn’t say who would perform it.
On Friday, news broke that members of legendary Newcastle band the Screaming Jets would be teaming up with Amy Shark and members of Grinspoon, Peking Duk, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers for the musical tribute.
Peking Duk duo Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles announced they would not actually be performing in a shock Instagram post on Sunday morning.
“Despite the rumours, Peking Duk will not be performing at the NRL grand final tonight,” they wrote on Instagram.
The pair added that they already had a gig planned in Cairns for grand final night.
Amy Shark and members of the Screaming Jets, Grinspoon, Peking Duk, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers were rumoured to be performing at the NRL grand final. Graphic: Polly Hanning
Days before the grand final, Nine entertainment editor Richard Wilkins had suggested the NRL could also honour Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson, who died last week, with a musical tribute.
“When Angry Anderson passed away, I thought there could be a call for [Noiseworks frontman] Jon Stevens to do a Noiseworks song, an INXS song, and a Rose Tattoo song [at the grand final],” Wilkins told nine.com.au.
“I don’t think it’s rocket science. I think you need a big iconic Aussie band playing some anthems that we know and love.”
