There have been hits and well-documented misses with the AFL’s grand final entertainment over the years,but giving such a huge platform this year to young artists,including Budjerah,and Bowraville rapper Tasman Keith,was a significant step in the right direction.
Tasman Keith at the grand final show.Credit:Scott Barbour
A video message from Williams was played during April’s state memorial service for Shane Warne,and below the MCG’s renamed Shane Warne Stand on Saturday,the singer again paid tribute to his friend.
“This song is dedicated to one of Australia’s greatest rock stars,Shane Warne. Love you Warnie,” he said,before launching intoAngels.
The camera panned to the late cricketing champion’s children Brooke and Jackson in the stands.
Rock DJ and lesser known songLost also featured in the 48-year-old’s 20-minute performance. “It’s the obligatory new song,we’ll get through it together,” he said with a grin,beforeLost.
Two days after John Farnham’s family gave an update on his condition following his marathon cancer surgery in August,Williams sent his own heartfelt message to Australia’s star of the stage.
“Let’s all send our love to John and his family,” he said,before singing Farnham’s 1986 hitYou’re The Voice. The capacity crowd belted out the chorus on Williams’ behalf.
The star power went up a notch with Delta Goodrem joining Williams for a cracking version ofKids,the song he originally made famous with Kylie Minogue 22 years ago.
Robbie Williams with Delta Goodrem at the grand final.Credit:Scott Barbour
There was speculation around Melbourne that Minogue might join the grand final entertainment,but Goodrem confirmed her own role on Thursday during the build-up.
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Katie Noonan sang the national anthem after the players lined up on the ground,and earlier Uncle Colin Hunter jnr delivered a welcome to country.
After the Cats’ lead ballooned to 36 points late in the second quarter,the crowd was treated to a half-time highlight with Goanna performingSolid Rock.
Four decades since Goanna frontman Shane Howard was inspired to write the song,following a trip to Uluru,Solid Rock struck a hugely powerful chord on football’s biggest day.
Goanna during the grand final half-time performance.Credit:Scott Barbour
Joined by rapper and Gumbaynggirr man Tasman Keith,Christine Anu,Emma Donovan and didgeridoo player William Barton,Howard and his band shone brightly.
G-Flip unleashed a cracking cover of Jet’sAre You Gonna Be My Girl,and The Temper Trap was joined on stage by Ngaiire and Coodjinburra man Budjerah,who won last year’s ARIA breakthrough artist award.
The Temper Trap kicked off the half-time entertainment.Credit:Scott Barbour
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