Sydney Roosters’ chief supporters group are planning to drown out Canberra’s Viking clap at Sunday’s NRL grand final, refusing to join in on the pre-game ritual.
But in typical Roosters style under coach Trent Robinson, they’re refusing to reveal their exact plans.
Sunday’s decider will mark the first time the Viking clap will be taken on the road, with the horn to be played before the grand final at ANZ Stadium.
But it will also present another challenge for Raiders’ supporters.
Usually carried out in a stadium full of home fans, Sunday’s clap will be the first time it’s attempted in what won’t be a crowd made up largely of Raiders supporters.
Canberra assistant Brett White even called on Roosters fans to join in this week, making the tradition a spectacle to match the AFL grand final.
But, Mario Facchini, one of the leaders of the Chook Pen, said that won’t be happening.
“Canberra fans are excited about their Viking Clap. Good for them. It’s not us, we’re not them,” Facchini told AAP.
“And we’re not going to be lending support to their team running out.
“We’ve got a couple of ideas because we might just keep them under raps at the moment. We’ve been talking among ourselves.
“Last year when we were in the grand final, media were commenting on the veracity of our support and chants during the game.
“It wasn’t unnoticed. And we’re going to be the same this year. We’re not going to be unnoticed.”
One likely option could be the Roosters’ traditional chant of “Easts” as the clap starts.
Predications from the NRL anticipate the crowd will likely be a 60-40 split in favour of the Raiders before neutrals are counted, based on ticket sales in the past week.
But Facchini also said he expected Roosters fans to at least match that of those dressed in lime green in the stadium, amid suggestions Raiders fans would fill most seats.
“Everyone is talking about how such a big bandwagon is rolling up from Canberra,” he said.
“Not trying to blow too much of a horn, but we have been favourites since the start of the year.
“Fans would have been getting grand final tickets straight away and they went on sale in June.
“We won’t be outnumbered like people are saying 70-30.”