Canberra chief executive Don Furner has backed Raiders’ fans to outnumber Sydney Roosters supporters on their home turf in the NRL grand final on Sunday.
The Raiders progressed to their first grand final in 25 years after beating South Sydney in front their biggest home crowd in club history last Friday.
The Green Machine faithful will make the trip up the Hume Highway in their thousands this week and look to dominate in the stands at ANZ Stadium.
Canberra co-captain Jarrod Croker put out the call for “50,000 green jerseys” in the 83,500-capacity stadium and Furner believes they can surpass that number.
“It would be fantastic to see a sea of green there, it would be a real in-your-face to Roosters’ supporters if we dominate the crowd in their city,” Furner told AAP.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see more green jerseys this weekend and I reckon we will.
“We have the toughest fans in the competition and they really deserve this because nowhere gets extreme whether like Canberra, we have minus six then 40 degrees in summer.”
Raiders supporters have been approved by the NRL to perform the Viking clap on Sunday, with club legend Mal Meninga to blow the horn which starts the pre-game ritual.
“It’s a neutral ground up there but they’re allowing us to do it which is great. They recognise it’s bigger than Ben Hur and they didn’t have to incorporate it but they were very supportive,” Furner said.
“Mal was great, he was our first pick. He’s symbolic of the club as the greatest player we’ve ever had, he’s an Immortal and captained our first premiership.”
Canberra star prop Josh Papalii believes seeing thousands of travelling fans in the stands could prove the difference against the heavily favoured Roosters.
“I hope to see a sea of green and hopefully everyone gets involved in the Viking clap because it’s a massive lift,” Papalii said.
“I honestly think the reason we won that game on Friday night (against Souths) is because our fans turned up in huge numbers.
“We’re into our first grand final in 25 years, I’m excited and the fans are excited. They definitely give us that extra boost.”
There are still tickets on sale but decider is nearing a sell-out.