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.
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
it was brilliant. im from brisbane, but a massive league fan just the same. when souths lost the other week (and I am a souths/broncos fan mainly but enjoy cowboys and titans, but not at expense of broncos; tho souths pip the post for me a bit.) so when souths lost I was like oh no, damn my dream GF just died. But then, about 4 days out the thought which had been dawning on me was coming to fruition. I was getting pumped up and remembered all the positive things about a roosters manly matchup. promised to be awesome. So day comes and I critically look at gf preparation and I must say, we had a bbq on that day, and I must say by game time it was an electric atmosphere. I even came up with some jokes that T W was offering if manly win you get your money back, BUT if roosters win you get your money back too! the f-er will go to any length! ha! so pre match and post match get top marks for nrl, plus the whole day and the way they set it out. game was sensational apart from ridiculous commentators, non neutral cant just call a game, too skeptical, ect. and post game was really good too, like the set up. ch9 did, tho i am unhappy with them, a great job at least with camera angles. ken sutcliffe was good, plus name escapes me, but silver haired ch9 frontman does a great job on panel outside combox in studio. so it was really good. but I can't let stand the commentary. its carrying much of the weight of marks downward. as to the game and the thingd directly surrounding it - cameras, presenters (not commo's) pre and post game. 100% well done.
Zee
Roar Guru
Yeah mate, really enjoyed it. I didn't go as a neutral though haha was clearly backing the Sea Eagles, but yeah even the roosters fan put in an effort. Great to see
Matt_S
Guest
Yes Zee, it would have been a mistake, given the opportunity, not to have attended the GF soley because our team wasn't there. I can now attest that one can enjoy the big occasion with any teams present (of course the Rabbitohs there would be extra special). But my article is about all sports lovers or of other clubs should make an effort to attend a final. The true test for me was going to a final featuring two teams I detest, and I came out with flying colours and a few less misconceptions especially about the Roosters and their support. Their supporters were a credit to the club and the occasion (minus the booing of DCE) and am glad I went.
Zee
Roar Guru
Completely Agree.. Loved this article. As a Rabbits Gal I know never to buy tix to the big one before we actually make it, but I was invited along to sit in one of the corporate boxes, and just loved the atmosphere of it. Both sets of fans were incredible, the atmosphere pre game was great, the NRL really put on a great show all round. Ricky Martin was great, he's HOT and can sing, + his combo with Maouboy was fabulous. Im happy I went along, really great night, great game of footy, and passion was displayed through every corner of the stadium. Only sour note was the booing of DCE when he received his CCM, he was deserving of it and it was farcical the reception he got. But must say Kade Maloney stole the show!!
Gregg
Guest
Great positive write up. Was a great game and the entertainment finally worthy of a grand final. In all my years of going to games i dont think ive seen more passion than those two clubs fans showed throughout an entire match. everyone was in there colours,waving flags and chanting. It is a grossly unfair misconception that these two old clubs dont have a big supporter base and hopefully this can put that myth to bed. Great work to both sets of fans
Maroon Blood
Guest
It seemed to me that both sides went out there determined to play good footy. It was the best GF in recent years by a long shot and the proof of the pudding was coming into the office Monday morning and having all the AFL following fellow workers (I live in Perth) say that the NRL GF was a much better game of footy than the AFL GF. And fair enough too. But Ricky Martin??? Seriously??
seajay23
Guest
I fully agree with the article. I was so impressed by the general good nature of the crowd; we were wearing our Manly gear amongst a big group of Roosters supporters but every one was friendly and just appreciated the quality of the game. I didn't see any nasty suff at the game or on the train on the way home (maybe a point in favour of mid-strength beer). There was a great buzz during the game,a sort of constant low level hum of excitement with frequent chants from both groups and with the lead changing hands so often there wasn't a dull moment. Best live game I have seen since the 89 GF and from talking to people who watched it on TV (like my Irish wife or my Kiwi rugby-mad workmate) it has won over some new fans. Such a contrast to last year's bore-a-thon and a great upbeat ending to what has been a difficult year. As a life-long Manly supporter I offer congratulations to the Roosters and their supporters. To my team and our supporters; well done, you lost no friends and maybe made some new ones.
Brendan
Guest
As a neutral supporter I loved the game. The "Easts" chant coming from one end of the ground was unbelieveable! Great day for all, the whole day was a real slick event. Even Ricky Martin was well recieved much to my supprise! Hopefully my beloved Eels will one day return!
Ken
Guest
Despite the talk I wasn't surprised that the ground was full, it's grand final day. Sure tickets might have been going for face value and below on ebay rather than the x2 or x3 price when more-popular teams are on but there's few people that are just going to leave them on the shelf. I was surprised though with how animated and intense the crowd was throughout the whole game. I was there a few years back to watch my mighty Dragons take it home and it seemed like our supporters were dominating the stadium 70:30 over the Roosters fans in raw numbers and about 90:10 in noise! With neither the Roosters nor Manly known for getting huge support, and with the possibility of more neutrals there this year, I thought the atmosphere might be a little light but those fans certainly rose to the occasion.
turbodewd
Guest
It was a surprisingly good game. Some curious refereeing calls, but RL is a hard sport to officiate. The Wolfman wont enjoy the highlights reel and DCEvans for CCMedalist was a curious choice, he missed a tackle on SBW which lead to a break and to a Jennings try if my memory is right.