Football fans rejoice, the AFL Grand Final will be music-free after goals have been kicked.
The annoying issue was thrust into the spotlight during preliminary final weekend when fans kicked up a royal stink over the blaring tunes.
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As Geelong marched their way towards a spot in the Grand Final at the MCG on Friday night, fans were reaching breaking point.
More than 77,000 spectators roared with delight after each of Geelong’s 18 goals, but their cheers were repeatedly drowned out by the thrashing guitars and thudding drums of AC/DC and The Killers.
Fans were robbed of the experience of soaking in the noise tens of thousands of fans make in unison after a goal.
The electrifying cheers bouncing around the walls and through the walkways at the home of football are some of the best moments in sport.
Thankfully the AFL opted to listen to its biggest stakeholder and will put a pin in the blaring music after goals during the Grand Final.
MCG chiefs also voiced their displeasure with the AFL over the decision to pump out the tunes, according to SEN’s Sam Edmund.
Throughout the finals series the AFL control the speakers and were keen to introduce goals to bump up the experience.
Fans however were not happy with the inclusion and the backlash peaked during Geelong’s rout of Brisbane at the MCG.
Sports reporter Matt Turner tweeted: “When there were no crowds during Covid, everyone missed the buzz and sounds of the fans. The noise at a game is so pure. Music between goals is so artificial, let alone unnecessary.”
The Age’s Peter Ryan posted: “Do they play footy flashbacks at music festivals?”
A poll conducted by the AFL Fans Association on Twitter found that more than 90 per cent of footy fans don’t want music between goals at games.
The first bounce will be at 2:30pm AEST on Saturday, September 24. The game is expected to finish roughly just after 5pm AEST.
This year’s grand final entertainment will be headlined by international superstar Robbie Williams, who will perform pre-game.
Aussie rock veterans Goanna will then take to the stage at h0alftime, alongside of a supergroup of First Nations artists, including Christine Anu, Emma Donovan, Tasman Keith and William Barton.
G Flip, Mike Brady, The Temper Trap featuring Budjerah and Ngaiire, are also a part of a jam-packed homegrown line-up.
“This year’s Telstra Pre-Match and halftime Entertainment is shaping up to be one of the greatest Grand Final music spectacles of all time,” AFL executive GM of customer and commercial Kylie Rogers said.
Collingwood great, Nathan Buckley, who won the medal for best afield in a losing side in 2002, will present the Norm Smith at this year’s AFL Grand Final.
The 2022 AFL Grand Final will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7Plus, and you can stream it on Kayo after the game.
