NRL Boss Applauds Teddy Swims, Slams AFL's Snoop Dogg Booking For Grand Final Entertainment

On Wednesday (10 September), the NRL confirmed that American R&B singer Teddy Swims would headline this year’s Grand Final entertainment.

With his soulful, rich vocals and dramatic musical arrangements, Swims couldn’t be more different from the AFL’s pick for the Grand Final pre-game entertainment, rapper Snoop Dogg. And NRL boss Peter V’landys has highlighted the stark differences between the pair.

Appearing on the Today Show yesterday, V’landys was promoting the NRL Grand Final news, but not without slamming the AFL’s choice for its pre-game entertainment on the big day—dubbing the rival sporting organisation the “FLA.”

“It’s fantastic,” V’landys stated (per news.com.au). “We saw what the FLA got, what’s he called, labrador or poodle or labradoodle? I’m not sure.”

He continued, “All I know is that it’s a dog act, so we had to get better than that.

“We actually got a vocalist. None of this doof, doof stuff. This bloke can actually sing.”

Teddy Swims is set to perform at the NRL and NRLW Grand Final events on Sunday, 5 October, and launch his sold-out arena tour of Australia and New Zealand.

“I am so excited to be performing at the 2025 NRL Grand Final,” Swims said. “Australia has always been a second home to me.

“Every time I am there, I am overwhelmed by how welcoming the people are, I fall more in love with the culture, and just everything about it. So, to be welcomed to perform one of the biggest nights in Australia is a huge honour.”

Over the last month, the AFL has reckoned with homophobia within its culture, criticism that only grew upon the announcement that Snoop Dogg would headline this year’s Grand Final pre-game entertainment. While rumours around the rapper’s sacking surfaced a few weeks ago, the AFL defended its decision to have Snoop Dogg headline the big day.

“We cannot vouch for every lyric in every song ever written or performed by any artist who has appeared on our stage — Australian or international,” said AFL CEO Andrew Dillon.

“What I can say is that our pre-match entertainment on AFL Grand Final day will be family-friendly and consistent with the audience at the MCG and those watching the broadcast.

“It is also important to remember that we engaged Snoop Dogg in 2025 as the person he is today.”

Dillon added, “He has spoken publicly about his past, he has changed, and today he is a grandfather, philanthropist, he helps rehabilitate youth and is a global entertainer who has performed at both the Super Bowl and the Olympic Closing Ceremony to audiences of more than 100 million people.

“In those environments, his performance was appropriate and well-received, and his performance this year at our Grand Final will be fitting for the best sporting event in the country.”