Article on the Hunters and Collectors reunion for the 2013 AFL Grand Final.

Author: Patrick Bartley, Sydney Morning Herald / The Age / Brisbane Times.

Date: 2 September 2013.

Original URL: http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-grand-final-2013-entertainment-headlined-by-local-acts-20130902-2sztb.html

Article Text

This year’s AFL grand final entertainment will see one iconic Australian band re-form for the occasion. Hunters & Collectors will join another Australian band, Birds of Tokyo, at one of Australia’s most important sporting events – Birds of Tokyo pre-game and Hunters & Collectors at half-time.

Formed in 1981, Hunters & Collectors were one of Australia’s most popular bands between 1986 and ’94. Their hit Holy Grail became synonymous with football’s biggest day. They disbanded in 1998, but will re-form for this special occasion.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou hailed the line-up. “It’s a coup having bands from two different eras,” he said.

“It’s fitting Australia’s Game has Australia’s music as its soundtrack on the biggest day of the year. Both Hunters & Collectors and Birds of Tokyo are hugely popular Australian acts and I know how much they’ll add to what is the most important day on the AFL calendar.”

Carlton, Sydney and Geelong champion and dual Brownlow medallist Greg Williams will present the Norm Smith Medal to the best player in the grand final; champion North Melbourne player and Geelong, Adelaide and St Kilda coach Malcolm Blight will present the Coleman Medal for most goals in the 2013 season to Hawks star Jarryd Roughhead and legendary Essendon and Giants coach Kevin Sheedy will present the Jock McHale Medal to the coach of the premiership team.

Former Hawthorn champion and inspirational fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Network Australia Shane Crawford is the grand final ambassador.

The national anthem will be sung by Tina Arena.

Hunters & Collectors frontman Mark Seymour said the band was thrilled to be playing at the biggest Australian sporting event of the year.

“We’ll be playing the AFL Grand Final in front of the biggest sporting crowd you could ever play to. It’s a great privilege and an honour.

“The atmosphere is electric with anticipation as we prepare to be part of the biggest day of our national calendar, the AFL Grand Final.”

Michael Gudinski, producer of AFL Grand Final entertainment, said: “From 1981 till their split in 1998, Hunters & Collectors were hailed as one of Australia’s greatest rock bands.

“After their amazing one-off performance at 2009’s Sound Relief concert at the MCG, they left us all wanting more.”

The AFL will once again open its gates to the public at 6pm following the grand final, for its Premiership Party, a celebration introduced last year. Fans will enjoy a free encore performance by the bands in the lead-up to a special presentation of the 2013 AFL Premiers.

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