Sportsbet offers punters $21 on AC/DC to fire up Grand Final day

COULD the crowds at this year’s AFL or NRL grand final be Thunderstruck?

Our friends over at Sportsbet.com.au have rated one of the world’s biggest rock acts – AC/DC – to ride the Highway to Hell down under and perform at one of footy’s showcase events.

The NRL has always had the wood on the AFL when it comes to grand final entertainment, so AFL chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan might want to swoop on Acka Dacka’s new line up, if the opportunity to presents.

Anything is better than Meat Loaf, right?

You can guarantee the NRL will jump at the chance of securing the services of Angus and company if it gets the chance.

Pop stars Ellie Goulding, Chris Isaak and Bryan Adams performed at last year’s AFL grand final, and the league copped plenty, with Goulding caught up in a lip synching controversy and the performances called “$2 shoppy”, whatever that means.

Any way, depending on how new frontman Axl Rose adjusts to life with AC/DC, they could be a massive improvement on what has been served up over the past five years.

We reckon they should bring Angry Anderson back in the Batmobile, personally.

The boys at sportsbet.com.au don’t think Rose is going to last long in the hot seat, offering a market on who will replace him.

The great Jimmy Barnes is the $3 favourite to do so and it feels like the former Cold Chisel front man would be a natural fit for the band.

Kiss’s Paul Stanley is $7.50 and former Wolfmother man Andrew Stockdale is $11.

They might be taking the Mickey with Guy Sebastian at $251. We can’t see him taking his smooth grooves on an AC/DC tour.

In fact, the Sportsbet crew does not think the band is going to last long, with Brian Johnson’s departure expected to cripple them, at $2.75 to no longer be together at the end of the year.

It was first reported Johnson had left the band due to “crippling hearing issues” that could have led to “total hearing loss” if he continued, but it has since emerged that Johnson feels he was unfairly “kicked to the curb”.

He hasn’t spoken publicly on the issue, but reports have come out that he wanted to slow down and do fewer shows, due obviously to age – it’s not easy doing touring full time at 68.

The band, in a statement, said it would fulfil its remaining tour dates.

“We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment.

“AC/DC will resume their Rock Or Bust World Tour with Axl Rose joining on vocals,” the statement said.

“Following this European run of dates with AC/DC, Axl Rose will head out on his Guns N’ Roses Not in This Lifetime Summer Stadium Tour.

‘The 10 postponed (AC/DC) US shows will be rescheduled and announced imminently, also with Axl Rose.”

Sportsbet.com.au’s Will Byrne said: “The announcement left everyone a bit thunderstruck which is more than Meatloaf did at the Grand Final.”

As an aside, the premiership markets on the two codes are taking shape, with reigning premier Hawthorn still a $4 favourite to win the AFL’s top prize for the fourth time in a row. Last year’s grand finalists West Coast are next at $5, while the Sydney Swans just keep on keeping on at $7.50. Patrick Dangerfield’s stunning early season form has Geelong at $8 and North Melbourne might be the bet of the year, unbeaten on top of the ladder and in to $9 to win the title, along with the Western Bulldogs.

In the NRL, 2015 runners up the Brisbane Broncos, at $4, are just edging the reigning premiers North Queensland Cowboys, at $4.50 for favouritism.

The Cronulla Sharks are $8 and they are the only other team in single figures.

Parramatta’s resurgence continues and the Eels are now in to $11, with the Canterbury Bulldogs at $13 and not much else to look at after that.

AC/DC markets

Specials

$2.75 AC/DC retire in 2016

$6 AC/DC to tour Australia with AXL Rose by 2018

$6 To produce an album with Axl Rose as the lead singer on every track before 2018

$6 AC/DC to have a reality tv contest to find the next lead singer

$21 To perform at the NRL or AFL grand final in 2016 with Axl Rose

Who will be the replacement vocalist for AC/DC in 2016?

$3 Jimmy Barnes

$7.50 Paul Stanley (KISS)

$11 Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother)

$16 Shannon Noll

$21 Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

$26 Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo)

$34 Kram (Spiderbait)

$41 Nic Chester (Jet)

$51 James Hetfield (Metallica)

$51 Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)

$101 Mark Gable (The Choirboys)

$101 Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)

$251 Guy Sebastian

$251 Peter Garrett

$251 Daniel Johns (Silverchair)

Odds provided by Sportsbet.com.au