Mike Brady's 'Up There Cazaly' performance at AFL Grand Final marred by sound issues
Audio track problems during pre-game entertainment at the MCG drew sympathy for the veteran singer, who co-wrote the iconic 1978 footy anthem.
Melbourne — The AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was marked by a technical hiccup for Mike Brady, the 77-year-old singer who co-wrote the iconic footy anthem Up There Cazaly. Brady soldiered through the performance in front of more than 100,000 fans as the backing track faltered, leaving him to improvise and ride out the moment.
Brady's rendition, a pre-game staple for generations of Australian football fans, was hampered when sound issues disrupted the track that accompanies the live vocal. The moment fed social media chatter as attendees watched the veteran star press on despite the glitch.
Fans and commentators offered mixed reactions online. One admirer tweeted, "Mike Brady is a star. Nails the performance despite audio track sound issues." Other posts noted the challenge of performing with faulty backing music, while third and fourth comments praised his poise: "Did it beautifully despite the problems," 3AW radio presenter Neil Mitchell said; "He'll always be a star," and "Still as popular as ever." Brady’s long-standing association with the game drew sympathy from supporters who stressed the issue wasn’t his fault.
Brady co-wrote Up There Cazaly in 1978 as an ode to Roy Cazaly, a great of the game. The song climbed to the top of Australian charts at the time and remains a touchstone for AFL fans as the league's season culminates year after year.
Speaking ahead of the Grand Final, Brady said he was humbled to be part of the pre-game entertainment. "I'm once again extremely honoured to be asked to sing at this year's AFL Grand Final," he said. "It's 46 years since I first sang at the MCG... and it still gives me a tingle down my spine when I get out there and feel the heat of that massive crowd."
Despite the hiccup, Brady's longstanding association with the game was underscored by fans and colleagues who offered support on social media and broadcast commentary, praising his professionalism and decades of service to Australian football culture. The incident highlighted the perennial schedule pressure of big-game performances and the fragility of live-audio systems in front of a national audience.
The AFL Grand Final remains one of the sport’s marquee events, drawing national attention and a stadium atmosphere that players say adds to the day's drama and the broader celebration of Australian rules football.