It is especially pointed because it will be performed while Australia is conducting a postal survey on whether same-sex couples in Australia should be able to marry.

A former NRL player Tony Wall started a Change.org petition tagged as "protecting children", calling for the song not to be performed.

"My family and many other loyal NRL fans, who are 'no' voters, will not feel comfortable watching the grand final when the NRL is imposing such a bold political stance on its fans while the issue is currently being voted on by the Australian people," Wall stated in the petition.

He has the backing of former prime minister and prominent "no" campaigner Tony Abbott.