EVERY year the entertainment chosen for the Grand Final creates debate. Even fans who say they don't care about which band or artist is picked to play still find themselves talking about it.

From the late 1970s through to the late 1990s, the League chose a range of Australian artists to perform the national anthem and often also Waltzing Matilda ahead of the flag decider. It wasn't until earlier this century that they started to look abroad for international acts, with varying degrees of success.

So who has been the best? And who have been some of the worst? AFL.com.au has ranked its best five pre-game AFL Grand Final performances.

5. Vance Joy, The Living End, Sting

(Sydney v Western Bulldogs, 2016)

It was a triple-headed pre-game show before the Bulldogs and Swans decider, with VFL player-turned international rock star Vance Joy opening proceedings. The AFL kept it local by having renowned Melburnians The Living End bust out a couple of hits, before they added an international big name to the mix with Sting. The Police front man's choice of adding a new song to his eight-minute cameo was a misstep, but at least he finished with Message In a Bottle and Every Breath You Take to keep the masses happy.

Veteran homegrown rockers The Living End lived a dream in 2016. Picture: AFL Photos





4. Tom Jones, Ed Sheeran

(Sydney v Hawthorn, 2014)

The AFL went for a retro and modern mix, combining up-and-coming megastar Ed Sheeran with the then 74-year-old Welsh crooner Tom Jones. Sheeran and his guitar opened proceedings, before the pair combined for a rendition of Kiss. Jones then did a 'Lionel' and won the crowd over with a smattering of some of his biggest songs – Mama Told Me Not To Come, Delilah and If I Only Knew. Funk and swagger had landed on the MCG members' wing and it resonated well.

Ed Sheeran warmed up the fans for Tom Jones in 2014. Picture: AFL Photos





3. Powderfinger

(Geelong v Hawthorn, 2008)

The AFL had to find a way to get AC/DC's epic and guitar-charged It's a Long Way to the Top played on Grand Final day. And if it wasn't going to be done by Angus Young in his schoolboy outfit, then Powderfinger was a good alternative. They ripped through their own smash song (Baby I've Got You) On My Mind before covering the AC/DC classic (bagpipes included) in a short but sharp set. Not sure about the swaying acrobats on stilts that surrounded the stage (YouTube it) but Powderfinger did their job.

Powderfinger had the honour of firing up the Grand Final crowd in 2008. Picture: AFL Photos





2. Lionel Richie

(Collingwood v St Kilda, 2010, replay)

The timing was just right for Richie. Following the previous week's drawn Grand Final, Richie was in the touring vicinity, having played a show in Hong Kong just days before his appearance at the Collingwood and St Kilda replay. With the sun out on a warm Melbourne day, Richie's nostalgic appeal was a winner. Surrounded by fans on an understated stage in the forward pocket, Richie opened, of course, with classic Hello, before rolling through a set that included hits All Night Long and Dancing on the Ceiling.

Lionel Richie was a welcome addition to the GF replay entertainment. Picture: AFL Photos





1. The Killers

(Adelaide v Richmond, 2017)

Brandon Flowers and co. brought the glitz of Las Vegas to the MCG with a rollicking six-song set that kicked off the perfect day for Richmond fans about to taste premiership success for the first time in nearly 40 years. The Killers are one of the world's great live acts: passionate, interactive and with a brilliant sound. They also added a cover to the mix, playing Midnight Oil's Forgotten Years before finishing with classic singalong Mr Brightside. Throw in Jack Riewoldt's post-game cameo and The Killers have a deserved place in footy history.

WATCH Jack Riewoldt's cameo with The Killers

The Killers got the MCG rocking in 2017. Picture: AFL Photos



And the not so good?

Well, we all know about Meat Loaf's memorable effort in 2011, that nearly didn't happen at all due to a rain shower not long before he was due to take the stage. There have been others that haven't gone down as well, for different reasons. Jet tried hard in 2007 but were let down by technical issues, with the sound dropping out on a couple of occasions, while British singer Ellie Goulding had to defend herself against lip syncing allegations after an audio mess-up. Maroochy Barambah's performance of Waltzing Matilda and the national anthem in 1993 also hasn't aged too well.

Meat Loaf during his Grand Final pre-game show at a sodden MCG in 2011. Picture: AFL Photos



