Source : Perth Now news
Shannon Noll has offered to step into the NRL grand final pre-game show after Tones and I was unable to take the slot.
The Lift singer offered his singing services on the Today show on Thursday morning, while en-route to the airport for his Melbourne tour.
Noll said he put a post online to make it known he was available after plans for this year’s pre-game entertainment fell through.
“I didn’t expect it to blow up as quick as it did, but it was just sort of saying, you know, if you need someone, I’m free and would love to do it,” he said.
Despite the pitch, the former Australian Idol runner-up said he had not heard from the NRL.
“No, no, I’m not holding my breath, mate,” he said.
“I don’t think there’ll be too many phone calls.”
As part of his push for the pre-game slot, he suggested a tribute to late rocker Angry Anderson, saying he would be willing to perform Anderson’s We Can’t Be Beaten at the grand final.
“Given the tragic news of Angry Anderson yesterday, who was a great mate of mine, he’ll be sorely, sorely missed,” Noll said.
“I thought what a great tribute to him it would be to maybe sing We Can’t Be Beaten on the grand final day, which is an amazing pump-up rugby song.”
Anderson, who died on Wednesday, famously performed Bound For Glory at the 1991 grand final.
Noll joked that being hired for the grand final gig could leave more money available for grassroots rugby league.
“I think one thing, there’ll be probably plenty of money left over for grassroots footy if they got me instead of Tones and I anyway,” he said.
Asked what his grand final set would include, Noll nominated Lift, What About Me? and Fire It Up, a new song from his album due out on Friday.
“The songs like Lift would be great. You know, it’s a bit of an inspirational one. And of course, What About Me?” he said.
“I’ve got a new song on my new album that’s out tomorrow called Fire It Up, which would be perfect for it.”
Noll said there was no chance his signature hit What About Me? would be left off the setlist.
“Oh mate, most definitely,” he said.
“I think I’d get a gun if I didn’t play What About Me? at a setting like that.”
Tones and I’s management said the singer, whose real name is Toni Watson, was offered the grand final gig on September 5 but was unable to commit because of prior commitments.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said money that would have been spent on the pre-game show would instead go towards grassroots rugby league programs.
“We’ve been toying with the idea for a couple of years now in putting – rather than spending a hundred thousand dollars a minute over 11 minutes on a performer – into grassroots underprivileged kids,” he told Today on Wednesday.
Noll, who performed at the 2007 grand final, has criticised the decision to scrap the show altogether.
“It’s very saddening that they’re not going to do anything at all,” Noll told 9News.
“For it to fall over this last minute and for there not to be a backup plan is sad for everybody. “It’s not as if there’s money being thrown at entertainers at every game.
“The grand final is an exception. It’s a spectacle. This is like saying we’re not going to have any fireworks for the grand final.”
Noll said appearing at the grand final could provide a major opportunity for an Australian act.
“Being born and bred in Australia and growing up watching the NRL, it would be an absolute shot in the arm for any Australian act to get up there,” he said.
“And just remind people that you know we have a massive pool of amazing talent in this country. It just seems a bit of a shame that the opportunity’s been missed now by not showcasing somebody.”
