Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue at the MTV Europe music awards in 2000.Credit:Reuters/Ian Waldie
Barring any last-minute surprises on the day,it now looks likely he was referring to Goodrem – though it’s not yet clear what the pair will be singing on the day.
Wearing a red,sparkly jacket,his silver hair meticulously spiked,Williams was in good spirits as he spoke of the upcoming performance,joking that the crowds “shouldn’t expect much”.
“I did open the World Cup and that was quite scary to do. That was a big deal,but I think this’ll be like the World Cup,but I’m in Australia,so I’ll be more relaxed,” he said. “I’m honoured to be part of the occasion.”
Although careful not to side with Sydney nor Geelong for fear of “the other half booing[him] when[he’s] singing”,Williams spoke of his excitement when watching the Swans play Collingwood in the semi-finals last week.
Robbie Williams announcing Delta Goodrem as a guest act for the 2022 AFL grand final.Credit:Paul Jeffers/The Age
“[It’s] a sport that is incredibly entertaining. I remember that Channel Four[UK] had the rights to play the game ... It was on a Sunday morning,and I turned it on,and I couldn’t believe how barbaric and wonderful it was,” he said. “It was just like,what on earth are they doing down there?”
Bringing Minogue back into the fold,Williams explained how she convinced him to join the grand final stage after his concert at the Rod Laver Arena in May.
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“It was dead easy – kebabs and chocolate. She knew,so she bought me a kebab,she bought me some chocolate,and I was in.”
Talk of he and McLachlan “kebab-ing it up” after the game was floated,but only if they were lamb. And speaking of carbs,Williams shared his own pre-game ritual,which included plenty of hearty food and a massage – similar to the footy stars themselves,he laughed.
Williams’ 19-minute pre-game performance will feature songs spanning his three-decade career,as well as one unknown song from another artist (a fact he revealed earlier this month). Other entertainment on the day includes Australian actsG Flip,The Temper Trap (featuring Budjerah and Ngaiire),Goanna (featuring Christine Anu,Emma Donovan,Tasman Keith and William Barton) and Mike Brady.
The latter,of course,will be singing his 1979 classicUp There Cazaly– a tradition which has continued through the pandemic,with Brady performing the song at an empty MCG in both 2020 and 2021.
With the big dance returning to Melbourne this year,the AFL is certainly keen to put on a big show and Williams and Goodrem seem like a good bet to deliver.
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