It will not quite be Cathy Freeman's glorious lap or John Aloisi slotting that crucial penalty. But there might be another special moment at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
The latest chapter in what – at the risk of turning the carriage back into a pumpkin – is shaping as a fairytale season for Souths. Or, in the spirit of that killjoy Jonny Wilkinson knocking his drop-kick over the bar, Johnathan Thurston wearing the black hat for the Cowboys.
But, at cavernous ANZ Stadium, will the atmosphere match the occasion?
The Rabbitohs have marshalled forces – including some sabre-rattling tweets from member number 77 (a Mr Russell Crowe) to his 928,809 followers – in the hope of attracting a crowd of 20,000. That would be a healthy indication of their growing momentum given the same fixture drew 12,213 last year.
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But, in the 83,500-capacity ANZ Stadium, it would still not be a crowd to raise the rafters. Not like the record 51,686 who turned up on Good Friday to watch Souths and Canterbury. An attendance that justified the operators' claim ANZ Stadium can be as atmospheric as most world class facilities for a big occasion.
For an oft-maligned stadium, that is the rub. The roll call of spine-tingling moments watched by sell-out crowds are celebrated. But, even with the encouraging growth in NRL club memberships, too many bread and butter games are played in relatively subdued circumstances.
Now, having battled against the perception ANZ Stadium is a small crowd mausoleum, the operators have embraced the need for change. The response is the proposed $250 million redevelopment that would put a roof over the stadium and bring the seating at the northern and southern ends closer.
ANZ Stadium management is at pains to maintain the stadium will remain a "big event" venue. Their goal is to build crowds, and – as best they can given the NRL's television-oriented fixture – attract "best fit" games that fill grandstands. The renovation is just one part of a proposal aimed at ensuring the stadium, and the Olympic Park precinct, does not fall into decline.
However, from a fan's perspective, anything that makes ANZ Stadium jump, rather than echo, during a regular season game is welcome. Encouragingly, the the tenant clubs and the NRL are helping drive the improvements.
South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson and his Bulldogs' counterpart Todd Greenberg have been part of delegations to the NSW government pushing the need for investment. "We're working closely with the stadium, and we support anything that improves the experience for our members," Richardson says.
"There have obviously been difficulties with other things like transport to the stadium, particularly on Friday and Monday nights. But we're behind any changes to the stadium itself that could make it better for those lower drawing games."
Predictably, with budgets tight, extracting government funding for an ANZ Stadium makeover is proving difficult. As recently reported, the Stadium Australian Group tried unsuccessfully to sell the stadium to the state government before the scheduled 2031 handover date. That would have given the government responsibility maintenance and improvements. The operators have also suggested extending the lease, which would allow them to reap the benefit of any private investment.
But, however improvements come about, they are welcome. Particularly given the reluctance to build a new rectangular stadium in the west.
The Western Sydney Wanderers' incredible first season strengthened the case for refurbished, or rebuilt, Parramatta Stadium – a case argued jointly by the Wanderers and Parramatta Eels. Penrith and Campbelltown have been other suggested locations for a new stadium.
But, privately, it seems there is neither the money, nor the political will, to build the kind of modern 45,000-capacity rectangular stadium rugby league and football need. Should that change, government sources suggest any new stadium would more likely be developed further from ANZ Stadium than Parramatta.
As it is, Sydney remains relatively poorly serviced by its stadiums for a city with so many professional football teams. Allianz Stadium has plans for improvement, but, as yet, no timeline to implement them. Suburban venues continue to absorb money that would be better spent on modern arenas. Improving ANZ Stadium so a crowd of 20,000 feels like a throng, not merely a gathering, could be a step in the right direction.
