Canberra Stadium shook as more than 26,000 Raiders fans stood in unison and performed the Viking Clap to the beat of Simon Tayoun's drum.
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Boom, boom, clap. Boom, boom, clap. Ricky Stuart's men ran out with the sound of the Green Army behind them and fireworks lighting the sky.
Some, like Tayoun, had traveled across the country with the Green Machine to watch it kick into finals gear. Some were children peaking out from their woolen beanies at their first match at Canberra Stadium.
The venue threatened overflowed in a sea of green as the Raiders claimed a 16-10 victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday.
The crowd burst into cheers, jeers and applause as Tayoun's drum echoed through the stands to spur the Raiders on.
It was a dream come true for the Sydneysider to lead the Viking Clap with the biggest crowd in Canberra Stadium history.
A dream which was nearly shattered after he accidentally punched a hole in the drum during the Raiders semi-final triumph over the Melbourne Storm two weeks ago.
Tayoun and his wife Margaret rushed to get the skin replaced to have it ready to lead the final Vikings Clap for the season at Canberra Stadium.
"I'm so happy and it's very special," Tayoun said.
"I'll be there in Sydney [for the decider] and I've only missed three games this year. I can't wait."
Tayoun's drum beat near-by Raiders fan Michael Bruce, held two metre long banner made from a bedsheet, masking tape, spray paint and bamboo sticks from Bunnings, with the words 'Jack lives here' written in capitals.
He unraveled the banner just as Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker walked out of the tunnel and caught his attention with the sign.
"Just to let him know this is our house," Bruce said.
"The reason why I specifically say 'Jack lives here' is so opposition teams know they're playing an away game and this is our house.
"I'm so proud to be a Raiders fan and how good their season has been. I've had a lot to do with the Raiders for the last twenty years but I've never heard so many positive stories off the field and in the community. They're just unbelievable."
The ACT Government and NRL boosted capacity for the preliminary final - which broke a Canberra Stadium record with 26,567 fans - by bringing in temporary seating and increasing standing room tickets.
Colin Kelly, his brother Murray Kelly and finance Jo Johnson, stood among hundreds of fans who crammed in front of the Mal Meninga Stand to watch the action.
The Kelly brothers jumped on the Raiders bandwagon as children, while Johnson, who comes from Bathurst, is a recent convert.
"[Colin and I] are getting married next year so I'm converting to Raiders from the Dragons," Johnson said.
"My dad's not too happy but that's alright."
The betrothed traveled to Melbourne for the Raiders' semi-final clash and will head to Sydney for the NRL decider.
"We'll definitely try and get tickets," Colin said.
"It was crazy in Melbourne. Everyone was screaming and hugging each other, but I never thought they'd beat the Storm twice in a year. It was just incredible."
But Sydneysider Adam Perkins never doubted the Raiders' premiership charge and has followed the club since their 1989 triumph.
Perkins granted his son Blayde an early mark from school, sprayed his hair green and headed down the Hume Highway eight hours before kickoff.
"It was the last day of school so why not?" Perkins laughed.
"We try to come down here as much as possible, and I'll be buying my tickets [for the grand final] as I walk out."
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
