NRL grand final left without a headline act at the 11th hour after Tones and I fallout

The NRL grand final will go without a headline pre-game entertainment act after negotiations with Australian artist Tones and I fell through.

The Fly Away hitmaker, whose real name is Toni Watson, was supposed to perform before kickoff at the NRL decider at Accor Stadium next Sunday but talks reportedly hit a major snag.

Sources claimed the 33-year-old refused to commit to playing her biggest hit, Dance Monkey, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The NRL reportedly insisted she play the track, a sticking point which allegedly led to talks with her team collapsing.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys told the SMH the NRL had decided the cash that would have gone towards Watson’s paycheck would be better spent elsewhere.

“Rather than giving a performer $90,000 a minute, we would prefer to give it to grassroots,” he said on Tuesday.

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“We believe that the entertainment is our game. It’s more the media that put themselves into a frenzy who we get as performer. But when you look at it realistically for 11 minutes, it’s not worth it.

“People will come to the game with or without it. We believe the money is better spent on junior rugby league.”

V’landys announced the NRL will donate $1 million towards funding underprivileged kids in the junior rugby league instead of paying another big name to fill Watson’s shoes.

Sunday’s grand final match will now go ahead without any major pre-game performers, which has historically been seen as a major drawcard for TV viewers.

American singer Teddy Swims headlined last year’s grand final, The Kid LAROI performed the year prior, and Jimmy Barnes headlined in 2022.

There were talks that Man I Need hitmaker Olivia Dean would take the stage at this year’s NRL grand final – sparked by V’landys himself – but it never eventuated.

Kylie Minogue will perform at the AFL grand final this Saturday.