NRL – Sounds of Oz

I’ll admit, I’m still struggling to get back to earth after my amazing holiday. What’s really helped is footy season. It doesn’t hurt that my Eels smashed it this week! While settling in for the game, my ears pricked up hearing Casey Barnes’ new track, “Made For This.” What a belter of a song, perfect for the hard-hitting game I love!

“This song is about backing yourself when everything’s on the line,” Casey said. “It’s about coming back from adversity, not being afraid of the challenge, and using it as fuel.”

If you’re not already across it, there are plenty of opportunities to hear this song as Nine will use it on all their Thursday, Friday, and Sunday matches across the entire 30-week NRL season. You’ll also hear plenty more from Casey this year, as he’s got a new album scheduled for the middle of the year and some big festival appearances in the coming months. Catch him anywhere you can!

21 March 2026 – CMC Rocks Qld 2026 @ Willowbank Raceway, Tulmur/Ipswich
28 March 2026 – Echuca Country Music Festival @ Echuca Racecourse, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca
18 April 2026 – Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Jaitmathang, Dhudhuroa, Ngarigo, and Wolgal Country/Corryong
2 May 2026 – Stomping Groundz @ the Groundz, Dharawal Country/Dapto
15 August 2026 – Regfest Mildura @ Nowingi Place, Latje Latje Country/Mildura
12 September 2026 – Triple B Rodeo @ Caboolture, Kabultur Country/Caboolture
28 November 2026 – Launceston Country Music Festival @ Royal Park, Letteremairrener Country/Launceston

Image used with permission from Bec Gracie Publicity

I’m not sure how many of you share my sentiments, but I’m pretty excited this week for the return of the regular seasons of the NRL and NRLW. With the trial games out of the way, it’s time to see whether my beloved Eels can go one better in 2023. The Nine Network has a history of opting for fairly safe choices for their rugby league theme song. Everyone loves the Hoodoo Gurus and Barnesy, but Nine’s shaken things up this year, opting for a little Polish Club instead. Rest assured, you’ll be hearing their track “Good Time” a lot this year. And that’s a very good thing.

“We wanted a short, sharp song, filled with nothing but catchphrases, with each part being its own hook. I think we nailed it,” said Novak. I don’t disagree.

Now hopefully we can see Polish Club booked as part of the grand final entertainment!

Image used with permission from Island Records Australia; credit: Derek Bogart

Tag: NRL

Casey Barnes Soundtracks NRL With “Made For This”

Polish Club Soundtrack Rugby League Season With “Good Time”