NRL grand final VIPs include Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns

The first big question facing Peter V’landys during his reign as rugby league’s newly minted executive chairman was whether or not the NRL could snatch a victory over the AFL in the TV ratings when the dust settles on the 2026 grand final.

Only a few months ago, the NRL chief was holding court with media bosses at the State of Origin opener, with broadcasters Nine Entertainment, owner of this masthead, and Foxtel, owned by the global streaming giant DAZN, jockeying for pride and place in the thick of high-stakes negotiations over a new media rights deal.

Those talks would eventually deliver V’landys a $5.3 billion broadcast rights deal, and set a new national record in the process. On Sunday evening, the challenge was to deliver value for money – all without the draw of a major entertainment act to bring in extra eyeballs.

But if V’landys was nervous, he didn’t show it, as he pressed the flesh with a cast of powerbrokers from across business and politics.

Among the biggest names to drop into V’landys’ Presidents Suite at Accor Stadium was David Brat, US President Donald Trump’s new ambassador to Australia. Brat, regular readers will no doubt recall, only arrived on Australian shores last month, filling the post after it sat vacant for close to two years. No doubt the grand final will offer the ambassador a speed-run on Australian diplomacy.

Also in the room was former Australian golfing great Greg Norman, who has been a conduit between Australian officials and golf-loving US president Trump.

The biggest names usually turn out closer to kick-off, but after a protracted period on the sidelines over summer following last year’s expenses scandal, Communications and Sport Minister Anika Wells eagerly turned up to the stadium early. The minister was among those who showed up to V’landys’ suite in the afternoon, working the room with an eye on the NRLW grand final clash between the Roosters and the Broncos.

Also at the stadium early was a man known for his love of a different code: Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, who was seen with his wife, Carla Galloway, climbing the escalator to the private suites during the women’s final.

NRL officials were out early. The media types, meanwhile, were also out in force. Among them were Nine Entertainment director Andrew Lancaster and the company’s publishing boss Tory Maguire, who were expected to be joined by the company’s chairman Peter Tonagh.

Tonagh, according to The Australian Financial Review, intervened in Nine’s negotiations with V’landys to tie up the company’s free-to-air rights to the NRL. The other side of the rights deal, meanwhile, was represented by Patrick Delany, who just last month was promoted to chief operating officer of Foxtel’s (relatively) new owner, DAZN. Foxtel heavyweight Brian Walsh was also there, we’re told, as was Tom Malone, chief executive of 2GB owner Tapt Media.

But the raw power, as always, lay with who got pride and place with V’landys himself, revelling in his first grand final as executive chairman.

There was never any doubt that taking pride of place in the Presidents Suite was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had a seat saved next to V’landys, with Albanese’s wife, Jodie Haydon, to the PM’s side on the seating plan. The couple dropped in to work the room well before kick off, by which time Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn was also doing the rounds.

NSW Premier Chris Minns also dropped into the suite, no doubt a little smug to see the grand final clash locked up by two of his state’s clubs. But that didn’t stop Queensland Premier David Crisafulli from taking up the invitation to make the trip south. NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane was also saved a place for good measure. Rounding out the political contingent was Barnaby Joyce, who showed up well before the men’s kick-off at 7.30pm.

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