What Rivalry? On Grand Final Weekend, More Australians Watched The NRL Than The AFL

Hawthorn may have trounced the West Coast Eagles during the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, but it was that evening’s NRL premiership match that truly reigned victorious.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a record 4.4 million people tuned in to watch the North Queensland Cowboys defeat the Brisbane Broncos by a single point.

That’s the most ever viewers for an NRL grand final.

Hawthorn’s 46-point win over the Eagles, on the other hand, was only viewed by 3.9 million (down from 2014’s 4.2 million audience).

(It’s worth noting that these are the peak viewerships – as in, when the most people were watching. The average viewerships of both matches were much closer: NRL with 3.6 million; AFL with 3.5 million.)

The AFL might have thought they had the upper hand after securing Chris Isaak, Ellie Goulding and Bryan Adams for the half-time entertainment. Unfortunately, the performers were largely considered underwhelming, with many viewers suspecting Goulding of lip-syncing (a suggestion she brushed off).

Love it when people think I lip sync, what a rad compliment :) Now where does one find a good veggie restaurant in Melbs?

— Ellie Goulding (@elliegoulding) October 3, 2015

At the NRL, Cold Chisel and Jessica Mauboy won mostly raves for their pre-game show, which is more than can be said for Kate Ceberano, who kicked off the AFL’s big day by forgetting the lyrics to the national anthem.

Grand Final - AFL or NRL?

Grand Final - AFL or NRL?

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