Aussie legend launches Grand Final party

The AFL has launched a brand new format for the biggest day of the year with internationally acclaimed Australian band The Temper Trap, the incomparable Paul Kelly and a raft of changes headlining the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final entertainment for fans.

This year fans will have the chance to get closer to the Toyota AFL Grand Final than ever before with the introduction of a revitalised rundown, including greater pre-game entertainment, a standalone halftime show and the launch of a new post-match fan experience at the MCG, The Premiership Party.

This year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final will cap a season-long celebration of connecting Australia’s Game with Australian music.

As one of Australia’s most successful bands here and abroad over the past four years, The Temper Trap – best known for their international smash hit ‘Sweet Disposition’ – will headline a new halftime show in the middle of the MCG as well as performing an encore performance with Paul Kelly at The Premiership Party, a free post-match fan event open to the public.

Paul Kelly, arguably Australia’s greatest singer songwriter, will headline the new pre-match program, which includes members of the football fraternity ranging from former AFL legends and retiring players to the year’s best NAB Auskickers and the Gillette Grand Final Sprint. 

Iconic Australian singer/songwriter and face of the AFL’s ‘This is Greatness’ 2012 finals campaign, Tim Rogers, will also perform as part of the pre-match program.

The Premiership Party is an unprecedented fan event that will see the MCG open its gates to the public at 6pm, following the conclusion of the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final, for the chance to enjoy a free encore performance by The Temper Trap and Paul Kelly in the lead-up to a special presentation to the crowd of the 2012 AFL Premiers.

Fans will have the opportunity to celebrate the 2012 Premiers at the home of football for the first time, with free post-match admittance and entertainment from Australia’s best musical talent.

Australian music has been prominent at AFL matches and events throughout the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership season including 14 live concerts across the season as part of ‘Live at the Footy’, AC/DC’s ‘Long way to the top’ campaign and Australian artists featured at every major 2012 AFL event.

AFL Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Demetriou, said: “Grand Final day has always been the biggest day on the AFL calendar and with the talent and format we’ve developed this year I’m sure it will go to another level again.

“With this new approach to Grand Final day there’s more access and entertainment for fans than ever before.

“After selling millions of singles and albums and touring the world, I’m delighted The Temper Trap are coming home to play on the AFL’s biggest stage.

“It’s only fitting we finish the season on a high and you can’t get a bigger Australian band right now than The Temper Trap, nor a more quintessentially Australian artist than Paul Kelly. 

“Our fans have been telling us that they want more Australian music at the footy and we’ve acted on that by showcasing the best home grown talent all season.

This year’s Grand Final is a true celebration of our Indigenous game and through the entertainment on offer before, during and after the Grand Final we’re connecting Australia’s music to Australia’s Game.”

Mr Demetriou said the changes to this year’s Toyota AFL Grand Final mean fans will have more to enjoy on the final Saturday in September.

“The format changes to the pre-match entertainment, the introduction of a halftime show and the post-match celebration event all enable fans to take part in Grand Final day like never before,” Mr Demetriou added.

“For the first time ever fans will have the chance to be at the home of football immediately after the biggest game of the year, regardless of whether you have a Grand Final ticket or not.”

Michael Gudinski, Producer of Grand Final Entertainment, said: “It’s great to have an all Australian line-up at this year’s Grand Final. Melbourne has some of the greatest music bands in the world and The Temper Trap have proven themselves to be one of our best exports with world-wide recognition.

“With the addition of Paul Kelly, one of Australia’s finest singer songwriters and Tim Rogers, these acts are set to rock Australia’s greatest game.”

The Temper Trap said: “As a band that was formed in Melbourne we know first-hand of the passion and history that is the AFL Grand Final.

“We are thrilled to have been invited to perform this year, it is a real honour. We have played some of the biggest festivals around the world, but playing live at the MCG in front of a Grand Final crowd is sure to be one of our most exciting performances yet.

“We are also thrilled that Paul Kelly is part of the entertainment, he is a genuine Australian and Melbourne music icon.”

The 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final will see the following format changes:

PRE-MATCH

Build-up to the Grand Final will include fan activities in and around the MCG and Melbourne CBD, TAC Cup players, AIS squad and NAB Auskick presentations, Lifebroker Mark and Origin Goal of the Year presentations, Gillette Grand Final Sprint, Grand Final team warm-ups, motorcade featuring retired players and a performance by Tim Rogers.

In the build-up to the first bounce Paul Kelly will perform a short set of some of Australia’s most loved songs from his vast repertoire.

HALFTIME SHOW

The Temper Trap will perform a devoted show in the middle of the MCG throughout the halftime break.

POST-MATCH

The Premiership Party – A Celebration of Greatness

Free public entry to the MCG – via Gate 3 from 6pm – for a live concert featuring Paul Kelly and The Temper Trap followed by the presentation of the 2012 AFL Premiers with the 2012 AFL Premiership Cup.

A number of fans will be granted access on to the ground itself with the remaining fans located in the Great Southern Stand.

This will be the only opportunity for fans to publicly see the 2012 AFL Premiers on Grand Final day.