AUSTRALIA'S biggest rock band, Powderfinger, will be the headline act at this year's AFL Grand Final spectacular.
The acclaimed Brisbane band will rock the MCG with pre-game entertainment on September 27.
In a major coup for the AFL, Powderfinger will join Pete Murray to perform post-match at Centre Square, the corporate hospitality village on Punt Rd Oval.
Jet and Natalie Bassingthwaighte performed last year after the AFL ditched the idea of having Australian Idol finalists perform, as they had done for four years.
Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning said it was "awesome" to get the chance to perform on one of the country's biggest stages.
"It's probably the biggest event on the sporting calendar in Australia and one of the biggest events on the calendar overall, so it is a tremendous honour," Fanning said.
"We've had so many offers to do these kinds of performances in the past, but it has never timed well with our other commitments. It seems that the right time is now and we are working on a few ideas to make it a really special performance."
Fanning admitted he and his band members were rugby league fans, but said he developed a passion for AFL when his team, the Brisbane Lions, won three flags from 2001 to 2003.
AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said it was fitting to secure the 15-time ARIA Award winners for such an important event.
"Our thanks go to Foster's, our entertainment partner, for their support of the Grand Final musical act in Powderfinger," he said.
Mr McLachlan said the 4300 guests at Centre Square would experience the best in corporate hospitality before and after the Grand Final.
"The Centre Square is a collaborative project with the AFL and the clubs working together to deliver an enhanced Grand Final experience," he said.
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