HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS, SPORTS FANS.
Despite middling historic efforts in regards to pre-game entertainment in the past, the AFL has seen a string of high-profile performers grace the MCG stage as part of the Grand Final in recent years.
This year, however, they’ve dangled their line out into the water and have successfully managed to land their biggest fish yet.
Previous rumours appear to be true: The AFL has secured The Killers to play at this year’s AFL Grand Final.
We knew that the league had been courting the very good and very big band for quite some time, but it would appear that the deal is done.
Fox Sports is reporting that, while the AFL themselves refuse to issue comment on the matter, music industry insiders have confirmed that The Killers will make the trip out to Melbourne to play at this year’s massive game.
In an interesting little titbit of information, Fox also reports that the band will be releasing their as-yet unannounced fifth studio album 10 days before the Grand Final. Take that with a grain of salt but, as the saying goes, huge if true.
The deal to bring The Killers out to Melbourne would not be part of a larger tour; the appearance at the Grand Final will be The Killers only show in Australia on this particular trip.
The band hasn’t visited Australia since the 2013 Big Day Out, and the new album will be their first in just on 5 years.
And in a stunning turn of events, it would appear the NRL – whose own Grand Final is scheduled for the day after the AFL’s – is stepping up to the challenge by reportedly courting Pearl Jam to headline their own version of pre-game entertainment.
The NRL, who traditionally have fared much better than the AFL when it comes to booking bands (largely because the league has an extremely good handle on who their audience is), is said to have the iconic Seattle group at the very top of their wish list for this year’s game.
NRL spokespeople have refused to comment on the matter, but the rumour is a strong one and the desire to match the AFL in presentation and entertainment would be at fever pitch.
But bloody hell, The Killers. At the AFL Grand Final. It’s happening, folks.
The 2017 AFL Grand Final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 30th at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Source: FoxFooty.com.au.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/Getty.
