For a while, it looked like he would be Bound for the RSL Circuit. Now Shannon Noll looks bound for glory once again, channelling Angry Anderson to cap off State of Origin's pre-game entertainment at ANZ Stadium.
With his old Australian Idol rival Guy Sebastian making a comeback on Eurovision this week, second-placed Noll wasn't going to be left out of the action.
Perennial rugby league favourites Justice Crew were not available (skateboarding commitment) so it was left to the former Idol contestant to whip the crowd into an Origin frenzy.
Flanked by backing singers draped in blue and maroon, as well as fellow performer and popular Google search topic Ben Mingay, Noll proved he has far more to his repertoire than ad jingles as he roared to the hard-rock tones of Rose Tattoo, who were also absent, much to the disdain of Fairfax rugby league writer and champion of all things rock and roll Steve Mascord.
"Why can't rugby league ever get it right? Why do we want Shannon Noll and some other bloke singing a Rose Tattoo song when Rose Tattoo live in Sydney? Is Angry too old to stand still and sing his own song?" Mascord lamented on his live coverage.
And then came... Cold Chisel! You little ripper. Nine had seemingly held the best for last but alas, they were only there to spruik a grand final performance months down the track.
Before the musical interlude, we had Dwayne Johnson - The Rock - doing the voiceover for the theatrical introduction, with cut scenes of Darren Lockyer looking pensive and leaning on a post. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin has duly been booked for Melbourne.
Earlier, Cameron Smith had won the cricket-style coin toss in the middle of the field. On a deck as green as that, surely it would have been better to bowl.
NSW defending #Origin champs, and Shannon Noll on prime time TV. 2004 called ...— Dominic Burke (@dominicburke)
May 27, 2015
If #Origin can revive Shannon Noll's career it really is the Greatest Game on Earth.— William Hill Aus (@WillHillAus)
May 27, 2015
Shoutout to my good friend @NOLLSIE. That performance was incredible. Hyped all the boys up for a good Origin— Samuel Bauermeister (@heapshandsome)
May 27, 2015
