Shannon Noll leads Aussie artists calling NRL to reinstate scrapped pre-game show

Exclusive: Shannon Noll reckons the NRL made a bad play by scrapping the grand final pre-game show when talks with Tones and I collapsed, and he’s not the only Australian artist speaking up following the shock cancellation.

Three other artists Tones and I (real name Toni Watson) personally recommended for the coveted grand final slot – The Pierce Brothers, Kye and Adrian Eagle – also said the NRL has done Aussie musicians a disservice by canning the show.

“It’s very saddening that they’re not going to do anything at all,” Noll told nine.com.au after putting his hand up to play at the grand final on Instagram.

“For it to fall over this last minute and for there not to be a backup plan is sad for everybody. It’s not as if there’s money being thrown at entertainers at every game.

“The grand final is an exception. It’s a spectacle. This is like saying we’re not going to have any fireworks for the grand final.”

Watson’s management revealed on Wednesday that the NRL offered her the grand final gig on September 5, but “prior commitments” meant she was unable to commit.

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It was a far cry from reports the deal fell through because she would not perform her biggest hit, Dance Monkey.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has said the decision, which leaked on Tuesday, was made last week.

Australian folk and blues duo The Pierce Brothers said it’s crazy the NRL hasn’t reached out to anyone else for the gig.

“Throw a stone in any direction and you’ll hit a phenomenal Australian artist or band,” Patrick Pierce told nine.com.au

“We feel it’s disingenuous for the NRL to say they had no other options. Especially if they found out last week. So many bands would jump at the opportunity.”

The live music industry is still struggling to overcome the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns, which is why opportunities like this are so important.

Melbourne-based singer Kye told nine.com.au it’s disappointing the NRL didn’t prioritise live music at such a pivotal time for the industry.

“The bigger question for me is, why is the NRL only sorting this out now?” she said, adding that the AFL has had Kylie Minogue locked in for months.

“It doesn’t seem to be something that’s a priority for the NRL, which you find in sporting events in Aus anyway. It’s like music entertainment is last on the list.”

Data from the Australasian Performing Right Association Limited and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA AMCOS) also shows Aussies are streaming homegrown music 31 per cent less than five years ago.

The numbers show why it’s so important to put local artists front and centre, especially on a stage as big as the NRL grand final.

“It’s more important now than ever, for the longevity of our music industry, for people to really tap in with Aussie artists,” Kye said, adding that Tones and I set the perfect example by promoting other local acts in her stead.

“There’s a lot of talent in this country, and people just don’t get the opportunity.“

It’s not just the NRL that needs to be supporting local acts right now.

“All home-grown sporting codes should prioritise home-grown artists because we make some of the best music in the world here,” ARIA Award-winning Australian singer-songwriter Adrian Eagle told nine.com.au.

Putting Aussie artists on the stage has certainly served the NRL well before.

The Kid LAROI was a hit as the pre-game entertainment headliner in 2024, and Jimmy Barnes, Gang of Youths, Wolfmother and The Living End have all had a run at it in the last 20 years.

Noll, who played at the 2007 grand final, said it’s the kind of opportunity that means more to Aussie artists than international stars could understand.

“Being born and bred in Australia and growing up watching the NRL, it would be an absolute shot in the arm for any Australian act to get up there,” he said.

“And just remind people that you know we have a massive pool of amazing talent in this country. It just seems a bit of a shame that the opportunity’s been missed now by not showcasing somebody.”

V’landys has said the money meant for this year’s pre-game entertainment will go instead to grassroots footy programs, and has raised questions about future shows.

“We’ve been toying with the idea for a couple of years now in putting – rather than spending a hundred thousand dollars a minute over 11 minutes on a performer – into grassroots underprivileged kids,” he told Today on Wednesday.

Many are arguing the NRL grand final pre-game show not only denies our own home-grown artists the chance to reach new heights, it denies fans the traditional entertainment millions tune into every year.

That’s why Noll, Kye and other artists are putting their hands up to do the job, if the NRL is willing to have them.

Some are even willing to share the stage.

“Peter V’landys was talking about how [the show] was going to cost $90,000 a minute and that’s now being reinvested back into junior rugby, which is amazing,” Kye said.

“But I think it would be incredible to actually invest that into a full pre-game lineup of incredible Australian artists.”

Since the NRL reported a profit of more than $60 million last year, it can probably afford to fund pre-game entertainment and still inject $1 million into grassroots footy.

If it sticks to its plan to have no pre-game entertainment, Noll may consider livestreaming a gig from his backyard studio for fans who want a show.

He’s about to drop a new song called Fire It Up that he said would be perfect to kick off the grand final, whether it’s from his place or centre field.

“If they get a chance to hear that one after it’s released on Friday, they might give me a call then,” Noll joked.

“If they don’t want to take me up this year, then I’m happy to make room for them in the schedule for next year.”