INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed Brisbane band Powderfinger will headline the 2008 Toyota Grand Final pre-match entertainment at the MCG, the AFL has confirmed.

Powderfinger will also join singer-songwriter Pete Murray to perform post-match entertainment at Centre Square, the corporate hospitality village located on Punt Road Oval.

AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan said he was thrilled to have secured the world-class act for football’s biggest day.

“The Toyota AFL Grand Final is the biggest day on the sporting calendar and in recent years the AFL has taken significant steps to build the entertainment in the lead-up to the match, as well as the post-game celebrations,” McLachlan said.

“Our thanks go to Foster’s, our entertainment partner, for their support of the Grand Final musical act in Powderfinger.”

Formed in Brisbane in 1989, Powderfinger shot to fame with their third studio album Internationalist in 1998.

The band has since scooped 15 ARIA Music Awards.

Lead vocalist Bernard Fanning said the band was excited to secure the gig.

“To be a part of not only one of the biggest sporting events in Australia but also one of the biggest sporting events in the world is a tremendous honour,” Fanning said.

“We’ve had many offers to do these kinds of performances in the past, but it has never timed well to our other commitments.

“It seems that the right time is now, and we are working on a few ideas to make it a special performance. We are very much looking forward to it.”

Click here for finals ticket information.

For more information on Centre Square, visit www.centresquare.com.au