Australian Idol judge and much-loved pop star Amy Shark was in eyebrow-raising form during the AFL’s Gather Round dinner at Penfolds Magill Estate on Wednesday night.

The event was hosted by Channel 7 star commentator Hamish McLachlan, but it was Shark who stole the show with a mesmerising performance and some controversial words.

Performing before more than 250 people, including AFL and SA government heavyweights, Shark, out of nowhere, unloaded on the NRL and that football code’s treatment of musicians.

“I’m from Queensland so unfortunately I’ve had NRL pushed in front of me, which kind of sucks,’’ the 38-year-old singer-songwriter said.

“I’m not just saying that because I’m playing tonight — you guys (the AFL), you know what’s up.

“We don’t need to totally drill the NRL into the ground, but you guys know what’s up. In case someone is filming this … actually you know what, screw them.

“Honestly, they just screw around artists.

“You guys actually understand artists. Thank you for doing that.”

The comments hit the right note for her pro-AFL audience, as did her breathtaking performance of her hit songs Adore, I Said Hi and Everybody Rise.

Meanwhile, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has given a strong indication that Gather Round will stay in South Australia, saying, “we like long-term partnerships.”

While Dillon and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas were also quick to insist that no announcement is likely this weekend, there was a definite sense at Wednesday’s launch that a lot would have to change for the fixture to move.

This week is the third edition of the successful concept, with all nine games of the round played in and around Adelaide. The deal between the AFL and SA runs for another year.

This year will feature the Barossa for the first time, with two games at Lyndoch.

Inevitably, the ongoing success of the concept means there has been speculation about other states trying to lure Gather Round away from SA.

“We like long-term partnerships, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look at other opportunities around the country,” Dillon said, referring to the AFL’s key corporate sponsorships.

“We have a great partnership with the SA government.

“Gather Round is actually — and quite simply — the best of footy and the best of our game.”

Asked if Gather Round could work elsewhere, Dillon replied: “That’s a good question.”

Standing behind the AFL boss, Malinauskas chimed in with “a great question”.

But the Premier also made it clear that Gather Round has to keep succeeding, saying it is a privilege and not a right to be the host.

“If we can make the third better than the second, that’s the best thing we can do to advance our cause,” Malinauskas said.

“All the numbers are pointing in the right direction.

“I don’t want to be misleading anyone - I wouldn’t have any expectation that there’s going to be a big announcement this weekend.”

There is also some risk, with Malinauskas at pains to implore fans to give themselves plenty of time if they head to the Barossa games.

Given the long waits for transport at Adelaide Airport on Wednesday morning, it begs the question whether the state has the capacity to handle growing interest in Gather Round.

“The market is catching up with demand, but that always seems to occur,” Malinauskas said.

“The AFL and state government have put a lot of effort into making sure the Barossa works well.

“It’s one road in, one road out ... we are asking people to get there early otherwise there will be a log jam.”

The Premier also took a playful swipe at St Kilda player Jack Higgins, who said after the weekend’s win over the Power at Adelaide Oval that he is not a big fan of the city.

“We don’t like to be stuck in hotel rooms, we don’t like to be stuck on gaming consoles - we like to be out and about,” Malinauskas said.

- With AAP