NRL grand final show still strikes right note with fans
Melissa Woods |
The NRL world has put its arms around Jai Arrow and former Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles, with their pair honoured as part of pre-match entertainment at the grand final.
Following the collapse of plans to have singer Tones And I perform, Sunday’s show didn’t have the wow factor of global icon Kylie Minogue’s performance at the AFL decider a week earlier.
After the late reset, NRL boss Peter V’landys decided instead to direct $1 million to junior rugby league and opted for a pre-match tribute to former South Sydney star Arrow and 37-year-old Charles.
Both are suffering from MND, with Charles diagnosed last month on top of a life-long battle with cystic fibrosis.
Charles became the first person to play professional contact sport with the genetic condition, going on to play four Tests for Australia.
Despite the pared back offering, Sunday night’s entertainment still proved popular with fans at Accor Stadium before the title decider between Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters.
Wearing lit-up wrist bands, the crowd were urged to stand and raise their arms to make an arrow shape as the entertainment kicked off.
Arrow, 31, and Charles were driven on a slow lap around the stadium, with local performers singing a compilation of hits.
Amy Shark opened the performance with a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – which was also sung at Arrow’s 100th and last Rabbitohs match.
Dave Gleeson from The Screaming Jets chimed in with the 4 Non Blondes song ‘What’s up’ from 1993 before Phil Jamieson of Grinspoon sang the Tina Turner’s NRL anthem ‘Simply the Best’.
AAP