In a bid to banish the memory of Meat Loaf, the soundtrack to this year’s AFL grand final will be an all-Australian affair.
Paul Kelly, Tim Rogers and The Temper Trap are among the big-name acts booked to perform before, at halftime and after the big game on the last Saturday in September.
It marks a significant change from recent years when the AFL has gone for big-name international acts such as Meat Loaf, whose off-key display last year was widely panned.
“I’ve got a funny feeling it’s going to be a lot better and hopefully bury the nightmare of 2011,” AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on Tuesday.
“It’s going to be a great day.
“I hope people celebrate the day for what it is and talk about the football, talk about the fact they were there when whatever goal was kicked or great moment happened.
“And they may reflect back on the great activities before the game and celebration of Australian music.
“That will be a great thing as well.”
In a new initiative, up to 30,000 fans are expected to attend a post-game concert at the MCG which will also be attended by the winning team.
Richmond’s most recent flag-winning coach Tony Jewell and two-time West Coast premiership star Dean Kemp will have important roles at the 2012 grand final.
Jewell will present the Jock McHale Medal to the winning coach and Kemp will award the best player on the ground with the Norm Smith Medal.
The AFL will keep secret the identity of the club legend charged with the honour of handing over the premiership cup until the day of the game.
It has yet to be announced who will sing the national anthem.