AFL Grand Final entertainment announced with 'Aussie Anthems' theme

Kieran Francis

AFL Grand Final entertainment announced with 'Aussie Anthems' theme image

The AFL has revealed Australian rock band Birds of Tokyo will headline the Grand Final entertainment for the Melbourne and Western Bulldogs blockbuster as part of an' Aussie Anthems' theme.

Birds of Tokyo will perform alongside the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in the half-time show during the showpiece event at Optus Stadium on September 25th.

It's the second time Birds of Tokyo have performed at the AFL Grand Final, after appearing at the 2013 event between Hawthorn and Fremantle.

A pre-match entertainment show will also feature talent including John Butler, Eskimo Joe, Abbe May, Stella Donnelly, duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, and The Waifs' sisters Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn.

There were also be a special performance from the legendary Mike Brady remotely from Melbourne, the famous singer of AFL finals anthems 'Up there Cazaly' and 'One Day in September'.

"After the success of a local all-Australian line-up at last year’s Grand Final in Queensland, we know there is incredible support to bring together home-grown talent again this year," AFL general manager of customer and commercial Kylie Rogers said.

"The 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows will celebrate Australian anthems and showcase a host of Western Australia music talent who are all incredibly excited to play in front of a full-house on home soil.

"This year’s line-up features artists spanning across multiple generations, so we’re confident there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

"I’d like to thank our longstanding partner Telstra for their support in bringing the 2021 Telstra AFL Pre-Match and Half-Time Shows to life which highlights their ongoing commitment to connecting Australians and their long-term support for Australian sport and the arts."

The entertainment at the Grand Final is one of the most-talked about parts of the event, with performances such as Meatloaf's 2011 disaster still talked about today.

Plenty of famous bands and musicians have performed at the AFL Grand Final over the years, including The Killers, Ed Sheeran Jimmy Barnes, Powderfinger and Human Nature.

The Grand Final will feature two of the most success-starved clubs in the AFL, with Melbourne having not won a Premiership since 1964, while the Bulldogs won the competition in 2016, which was their first flag since 1954.

Melbourne will go into the match favourites having finished the season on top of the AFL ladder and after thrashing Brisbane and Geelong in their two finals to date.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.