'Poodle went well': AFL great Jimmy Bartel cracks back at NRL boss Peter V'landys after Snoop Dogg jab
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Brownlow Medallist and AFL champion Jimmy Bartel has hit back at NRL boss Peter V'landys, who criticised the AFL's decision to bring in Snoop Dogg for the grand final pre-game entertainment.
V'landys mocked the decision, labelling him a "Labradoodle" and a "dog act". He said they went and got someone who can "actually sing" in Teddy Swims for the NRL grand final.
Snoop Dogg was a controversial figure in the lead up to the game, particularly due to homophobic comments the rapper has previously made.
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However, the performance itself received mostly favourable reviews. The additions of Baker Boy and Jessica Mauboy were great decisions and the spectacle went off without a hitch.
Snoop Dogg performs with Jessica Mauboy during the AFL Grand Final. via Getty Images
"What did Peter V'landys call him? The poodle? The poodle went really well," Bartel told Nine's Wide World of Sports on Sunday morning.
"It was great entertainment, great theatre, that's what it is.
"Jess Mauboy probably actually got the biggest round of applause when she joined Snoop on stage.
"Of course, Baker Boy there was incredible. It was a fantastic show."
9News Melbourne reporter Tony Jones has been a vocal critic of the AFL's decision to bring in Snoop Dogg from the beginning, but gave credit where it was due.
"The biggest talking point leading into yesterday's game was Snoop Dogg. During the performance it was the biggest talking point, and even on the back of the premiership it's still a talking point," Jones told Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
"I was a vehemently opponent of this. It was nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be.
"I'm of a vintage where I don't get it and it didn't do a whole lot for me, but good on the AFL for having a crack. You can't be all things to all people, but I would give it just a pass mark."
Former Western Bulldogs star Nathan Brown believes the AFL got their money's worth given Snoop's energy and commitment to hyping up the performance.
Snoop Dogg performs with Tash Sultana during the AFL Grand Final. Getty
"You know what I loved? The fact that he gave everything as soon as he landed in Australia," Brown said.
"You see some artists will come in and they don't want to do anything.
"He gave every interview, he was up and about at every interview, I think the AFL got their money's worth."
Jones however clapped back at that suggestion, pointing out reporters were barred from asking the performer questions at all media availabilities in the lead-in to the grand final.
"Hang on, he didn't give every interview. It was a sanitized media conference on the Friday," he said.
"You can't have a media conference where the media can't ask questions.
"So, he didn't do every media interview."
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd doesn't believe Snoop Dogg drew the same level of engagement from the crowd as Katy Perry did last year.
"Having been to a lot of grand finals, I don't think the crowd was into it like they were for Katy Perry or Lionel Richie, but I think it's been given a tick from most people," Lloyd said.
"Looking around, I didn't see people getting into it like I've seen in previous years."
