Tones and I has rejected suggestions that her withdrawal from the NRL grand final entertainment lineup was sparked by disagreements over which songs she would perform.
The Australian pop sensation pulled out of the pre-match show only days before the game, amid reports that she was unwilling to sing her global hit Dance Monkey, despite claims the NRL wanted the track included in her set.
Tones, whose birth name is Toni Watson, appeared to address the controversy on Instagram Stories on Wednesday. She highlighted several Australian performers who, in her view, “also deserve opportunities”, naming G Flip, Baker Boy, Budjerah and Miss Kaninna.
“Not even scratching the surface of how many incredible artists we have in this country,” she wrote.
Later that afternoon, management for the 33-year-old singer said her decision had instead been driven by a scheduling conflict involving a US performance with rapper Macklemore, not a clash with the NRL over the planned setlist.
“Tones was recently approached to perform the pre-show at the NRL grand final,” manager Regan Lethbridge said in a statement provided to ABC Sport.
Tones and I has dismissed claims that song-selection disagreements prompted her withdrawal from the NRL grand final performance
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys also weighed in, questioning whether a major musical act was needed for the NRL grand final
“An offer was presented to Tones via management on September 5.
“Tones had a prior commitment with Macklemore in America and explored all avenues to make it work.
“Nothing was signed or confirmed in writing. Given the late timing and Tones’ existing commitments, we were unable to accept the offer.
“We wish the NRL nothing but the very best for their event.”
The development came as Peter V’landys, chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, criticised the cost and value of grand final entertainment, arguing that the money could be put to better use.
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“We’ve been toying with the idea for a couple of years of, rather than spending $100,000 a minute over 11 minutes on a performer, putting that money into grassroots causes for underprivileged kids,” he said.
“The kids who can’t play with their mates, the kids who can’t afford their registration and those who can’t afford to pay for their boots.”
“I think that’s a much better use of our expenditure than spending it on 11 minutes that nobody really cares about.”
Tones, whose real name is Toni Watson, used Instagram Stories to point to a range of Australian artists she believes should also receive major performance opportunities
The singer’s management said her withdrawal was linked to a US date with rapper Macklemore, rather than a disagreement with the NRL about her song choices
“It’s a bit like buying a cheeseburger for the pickle. You don’t do that. You buy it for the cheeseburger.”
The approximately 11-minute performance was expected to command a fee of about $1 million. V’landys had previously argued that the league’s funds could deliver greater benefits if redirected to grassroots rugby league programs.
He announced on Tuesday that the NRL will donate $1 million to fund underprivileged kids in the junior rugby league instead of forking out for a big-name replacement act.
Negotiations with the singer ‘fell through’ ahead of the grand final held at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on October 4, with wide reports that the stoush was over Tones’ song, Dance Monkey.
Sources told the Sydney Morning Herald that the singer had ‘refused to commit’ to performing the chart-topping track, but Tones has since denied that was the case.
Pre-game entertainment is a major drawcard for the grand final, with massive names brought in for previous years.
In 2025, American singer Teddy Swims headlined, with The Kid Laroi taking the stage in 2024.
Others who have graced the NRL stage include Good Charlotte, Jimmy Barnes and Tina Turner.