For the second year in a row I got stuck with NRL grand final tickets; ever so optimistic about the Rabbitohs’ chances of making the big match.
Last year wasn’t too bad, because I had an appreciation of the Melbourne Storm from living in Melbourne. But this year I truly dreaded going, such was my dislike of both the Roosters and Manly.
I even put on Facebook prior to the game that watching both these teams and listening to Ricky Martin was akin to rugby league purgatory.
I had even fallen for all the talk that this was going to be a final no one cared about outside of the two clubs present or thousands wouldn’t attend out of protest at ticket prices or disgruntled Bunnies supporters missing in action.
I started to feel more comfortable with my decision to fly down for the game when I saw plane loads of Sea Eagles and Roosters supporters at Brisbane Airport.
There were even many Rabbitohs supporters flying their colours, confirming what many believed, we are an optimistic bunch.
I was located in West Ryde during my stay, far from the territories of the combatants but saw many cars flying club flags and pub talk centred firmly on the big game.
Once again the ANZ Stadium precinct was full of colour with rides, radio station set ups, live music, open bars, and lines of exotic foods stalls keeping the multitudes entertained and nourished.
I bumped into many Rabbitohs friends from over the years and was happy to see them turn up and attend the grand final.
My decision to appear was firming as the day continued.
It was interesting to see the makeup of rugby league supporters attending this year’s grand final, there was a diverse bunch.
But the supporters were a pleasant surprise – I witnessed a large number of Jewish Roosters supporters proudly displaying their colours and wearing their ‘skull’ caps, and a large Asian supporters group.
But the day in all attracts an immense mix of peoples and backgrounds which truly encapsulates rugby league as the “people’s game” in this country.
I saw many shirts from all over the rugby league world including New Zealand, France, UK, the Pacific and a group from the USA.
Upon taking my seat an hour before kick-off the stadium was already 75 percent full.
As the game approached the Roosters supporters already began their chants and the pre-game entertainment was a mere distraction for the anticipating hordes. By kick off and during the Game 1 was blown away at the atmosphere.
Sitting at the Roosters end their chanting, support and colour blew away misconceptions that they were just a trendy club with little support.
The passion was palpable and at the other end of the stadium you could witness the maroon and white cacophony of colour as a sea of flags made you feel like you were witnessing an immense migration of butterflies.
This lasted the whole game.
As a neutral I enjoyed a good game of rugby league but more importantly I beheld the culminating celebration of an NRL season which was a day nothing short of sensational.
If the NRL fraternity were spooked about a Sea Eagles versus Roosters grand final as a near worst case scenario for the sport, then rugby league is in great shape.
These two clubs have large, proud and passionate supporters who may spend more time in the woodworks then not, but this is the hidden misconception of the game where its distractors view bums on seats as one of the sole indicators of a sport’s health.
But in league we know that this is not always the case and on the day supporters did not let down these two proud and successful clubs.
As a neutral, after two years running I no longer need my club to be in the grand final as I will do my utmost to attend regardless.
It is becoming a truly must see event on the sporting calendar and I suspect there are a growing number like me who feel the same given the 82,000 who attended a game apparently no one wanted to watch much.
The NRL grand final, what a day.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Manly have been slammed by the judiciary with both Daly Cherry-Evans and Haumole Olakau'atu charged for two weeks for their part in a dangerous…
Brad Arthur believed Tom Trbojevic was offside before Will Penisini was binned for a professional foul. Brad Fittler confirmed Penisini was unlucky
Clint Gutherson showed his frustration at the press conference, shaking his head when asked about Sivo's brain explosion.
This can't have been a lot of fun for Brad and Gutho!
Maika Sivo scored a hat-trick in his return to first-grade footy but a brain fade in the second half saw the Eels winger sent…
Nathan Brown has a new nickname. His Manly teammates were full of praise after igniting his side off the bench.
