A superstar Australian artist is being targeted by the AFL to headline this year’s Grand Final entertainment in a big shake-up.
Plus, polarising Fremantle forward Patrick Voss has apologised behind the scenes for his taunting incident. MORE IN AFL DAILY.
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The AFL is chasing Kylie Minogue to perform at a first ever twilight Grand Final at the MCG.
Per Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson, the league is looking to make the switch to a later timeslot this year with Minogue their target for a revamped entertainment show.
Like the Superbowl, the show would take place half-time, under lights, rather than the traditional pre-game show.
“If it’s not a twilight grand final this year, I’ll be shocked,” Wilson said on The Agenda Setters.
“The AFL is targeting, among others, but very strongly targeting Kylie Minogue to perform at a twilight grand final.”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has reportedly been a fan of the traditional 2.30pm start for a long time, but is “wavering” as the rest of the AFL executive support change.
“Andrew Dillon, who was the one executive really strongly keeping it in the afternoon, is wavering,” Wilson continued.
“I think the new chairman doesn’t mind the idea of a twilight grand final, and pretty much the rest of the executive at the AFL are pretty keen on it.
“It will be dark at halftime, but the AFL would need to extend half-time, and that is one option they’re looking at, to have the key performer in the dark, but you could also have a performer in the daytime and then play it at twilight.
“It’s going to be really exciting.”
Minogue would be the first Australian act to headline since a group of local artists led by Eskimo Joe played the 2021 Grand Final in Perth.
Since the Grand Final returned to the MCG, Robbie Williams, Kiss, Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg have all performed pre-game.
Bombers ‘lacking on field leaders’ | 04:46
DOCKER APOLOGISES FOR CONTROVERSIAL TAUNT
Patrick Voss reportedly apologised to “select teammates and staff” at Fremantle for his ‘cry baby’ gestures towards Melbourne’s Harrison Petty on Saturday night.
Per Tom Morris, the key forward was “sorry for his actions taking away from the team”.
Voss earned a $1500 fine from the Match Review Officer for his antics at quarter time at Optus Stadium.
The 22-year-old has received widespread backlash for his behaviour, which appeared to stem from Brisbane Lion Dayne Zorko’s sledging of Petty in 2022.
Voss in spotlight for Petty crying taunt | 02:38
Zorko made an inappropriate comment towards the Demon defender, which left him in tears at the Gabba.
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt called Voss a “fake tough guy” and Fox Footy’s David King said that “you can’t humiliate” opponents like that and expects the AFL to bring in a taunting rule off the back of it.
But Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir went into bat for Voss, saying he “gets it right most of the time”.
And the message from the Dockers has been to keep pushing the limits with his agitative actions.
“Those he spoke to made it clear to him they want him to continue to tread the line and they love the way he plays,” Morris reported.
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YOUNG SAINT SET FOR CONTRACT STAND-OFF
St Kilda could feel the pinch of their spending spree as 20-year-old Darcy Wilson is reportedly of “growing interest” to rival clubs.
The pick 18 from the 2023 draft has played 44 games for the Saints, primarily on the wing.
But could receive bigger offers elsewhere after St Kilda splashed the cash on the likes of recruits Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan as well as reportedly handing a $1 million a year extension to youngster Mattaes Phillipou.
“He’s still on his first contract. End of 2026 is when he’s out,” Nine’s Damien Barrett said on Footy Classified.
“He’s got no desire at this stage to work out what he wants to do in 2027, just yet. He’s going to let this play out.
“There’s a lot of interest in him, and he’s known this now for the best part of 18 months that clubs are coming for him. St Kilda’s well aware of this too.
“He’s started the season, I think, really encouragingly and he is a player they want to keep and have made that known to his management.
“But he’s a smart young man. He knows what money is now being offered to players he’s playing with.
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