Australia’s biggest sporting moments should feature Australian artists.
This is the message from Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who criticized the nation’s top football leagues for hiring international entertainers for their grand final celebrations.
As the NRL, the professional men’s rugby league competition, and the AFL, the premier league for men’s Australian rules football, progress through their playoffs, both leagues have chosen U.S. artists to perform on finals day.
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Hanson-Young expressed on social media, “Another day, another iconic Aussie sport bringing in an international artist and overlooking our homegrown talent.”
“Whether it’s the AFL or NRL Grand Final, an Australian performer should be taking the stage, not an American import.”
Hanson stated, “While Australia’s music industry is struggling, cultural institutions like huge grand finals should be supporting Aussie talent.”
Hanson-Young’s remarks came shortly after the NRL announced that Teddy Swims would headline the 2025 Grand Final Day entertainment on October 5 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
This follows the controversial announcement of Snoop Dogg as the headline act for the AFL Grand Final, scheduled to take place on September 27 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Upon Snoop’s announcement, Hanson used her speech in parliament and a post on her Instagram account to label Snoop as a “slur merchant” and questioned why the AFL would invest millions in international talent instead of supporting Aussie talent.
Australia’s music community is struggling to gain visibility in a streaming world where new artists compete against over 100 million songs, with catalog and major label signings from the U.S. and U.K. often dominating.
The potential solutions are numerous and varied, industry advocates suggest. These could include initiatives like “Michael’s Rule,” which mandates that at least one local artist benefits from the support slot on an international artist’s tour. Earlier this year, New South Wales became the first state to implement what was once an industry code by offering financial incentives.
Snoop will follow in the footsteps of past headliners such as Ed Sheeran, Sting, The Killers, Lionel Richie, Tom Jones, Meat Loaf, and local rockers Powderfinger when he performs at AFL Grand Final Day.
The NRL’s big day has showcased domestic talents like The Kid LAROI, Amy Shark, Gang of Youths, Jessica Mauboy, alongside international acts such as Good Charlotte, Tom Jones, Billy Idol, and the late “Queen of Rugby League,” Tina Turner.
