The NRL has a golden opportunity to honour another Aussie legend at Sunday night’s grand final, according to Richard Wilkins

Exclusive: The NRL has a golden opportunity to turn its weeks-long pre-match entertainment debacle into a tribute to not just Jai Arrow, but another Australian legend this Sunday night: Angry Anderson.

The Rose Tattoo frontman died last week, aged 79, and Nine Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins couldn’t think of a better time or place to honour his memory.

“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.”

Anderson’s iconic track Bound For Glory would be a fitting pick for the set list, not just to honour the rocker’s legacy but to set the stage for the biggest NRL game of the year (and the biggest in 25 years for the Newcastle Knights).

NRL boss Peter V’landys confirmed on Wednesday that the Knights v Roosters grand final will begin with an emotional tribute to Rabbitohs player Arrow.

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NRL grand final to begin with emotional Jai Arrow tribute following pre-match entertainment debacle

Arrow, 31, was forced into retirement earlier this year after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

9News sports reporter Danny Weidler shared on X that currently unnamed Australian musicians will perform You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers as Arrow completes a victory lap on Sunday night.

His tribute will kick off at 7.10pm ahead of the game’s 7.30pm kickoff.

It’s unclear if there will be any other musical performances on the night, though Australian artists including Shannon Noll have called for a fushow.

Wilkins agreed that NRL fans love a bit of spectacle at the grand final.

“You need a big performance for a big game, someone like Jimmy Barnes or John Stevens or Icehouse,” he said.

“It’s important that you have someone who knows how to entertain a big venue. Some artists know how to fill a stadium, and others just don’t. It’s as simple as that.”

The Rose Tattoo certainly filled their fair share of stadiums before Anderson’s death, so their music would be a great choice for NRL’s biggest night.

Earlier this week, V’landys promised fans a “big surprise” on Sunday that will be “the highest-rating 11 minutes you will ever see”.

It’s unclear if he was talking about the Arrow tribute or something else, as very few details about the pre-game entertainment have actually been confirmed.

Anderson’s Rose Tattoo bandmates shared the sad news of his death in a statement last Wednesday, weeks after he was  hospitalised following a cardiac arrest.

“Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved member of his friends, bandmates and the wider music and entertainment community,” it read.

“His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him both here in Australia and overseas.”