The results are in...
Saturday's nail-biting AFL grand final may have drawn more viewers than last night's NRL showdown but it was Gang Of Youths who won the pre-game entertainment battle.
As TV Tonight reports, over 1.2 million people tuned into the Sydney outfit's blistering set at ANZ Stadium last night, beating out the AFL's headliners, Black Eyed Peas and Jimmy Barnes, which drew a viewership of 927,000.
The ratings are telling, given that the Collingwood v West Coast match itself was watched by over 2.6 million people, ahead of the Storm v Roosters game, which attracted just over 2.1 million.
While the general consensus was that Barnsey put on a typically solid show, Black Eyed Peas' set received mixed reviews, with many questioning the absence of long time member Fergie and why will.i.am pulled out his iPhone on stage.
However, the rapper later confirmed he was live streaming the performance.
"I wanted the world to see Australia from my point of view...& that POV is awesome & lovely...sorry if I offended anyone by sharing my love," he tweeted.
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Sharing on socials isn’t checking phone mid song...that’s me being a performer & camera man showing the world how Awesome Australia is...I wanted the world to see Australia from my point of view...& that POV is awesome & lovely...sorry if I offended anyone by sharing my love https://t.co/kLeUtOenmF
— will.i.am (@iamwill) September 29, 2018
Meanwhile, Gang Of Youths' showing last night was widely praised, which was beefed up with some sweet pyro and frontman David Le'aupepe's always-impressive dance moves.
Former AFL player Brendan Fevola was of the few who wasn't a fan of GOY's set, but drummer Donnie Borzestowski made sure to respond, later tweeting "Grand Final appearances: Gang Of Youths: 1 - Brendan Fevola: 0".
Check out the opening of Gang Of Youths' performance below.
How good were @gangofyouths! 🎶 #NRLGF
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) September 30, 2018
Watch LIVE: https://t.co/BMYqCZhrd4
Follow LIVE: https://t.co/dO8Yicz87H pic.twitter.com/2TwAh8jxTH