'We're behind the Brumbies': ACT fans relish Super Rugby AU final fever at Canberra Stadium

So many had waited so long for this moment. It was their chance to see the ACT Brumbies' first shot at Super Rugby glory at Canberra Stadium in 16 years.

Some were too young to remember the night Joe Roff, George Gregan, Mark Gerrard and a crop of stars ran riot against the Canterbury Crusaders. But those fans have had a wait of their own.

A crowd of 6000 filtered through the Canberra Stadium gates for the Super Rugby AU grand final between the Brumbies and Queensland Reds on Saturday night.

It marked the biggest crowd the venue has hosted in more than six months after the coronavirus pandemic derailed sports and society as we know it.

A handful of hearty souls have still been here for every game in a revamped domestic competition, like Amelia and Walter Santer from Cooma, who have been regulars at Brumbies games for a decade.

"It's really good. It is very much [a different year], but at least they got in an extra 3000," 71-year-old Mrs Santer said.

"We came when there was 1500, everybody did what they were told. The atmosphere was a lot different with no noise. It's a lot different now, the crowd are behind the Brumbies."

Brumbies and Canberra Raiders matches were restricted to crowds of 1500 and then 3000 since the virus hit.

The figure was doubled after the Brumbies secured hosting rights to a grand final for the first time since the 2004 title capped off a golden era for the club.

So different has the atmosphere been since COVID-19 halted the season, Brumbies forward Lachlan McCaffrey said 6000 would feel more like 25,000.

The majority of those in the stands were Brumbies season ticket holders after the club gave them a chance to secure free tickets.

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Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson said it would have been easy to make all supporters pay, given they were preparing to take a significant financial hit at season's end. But the chance to show supporters they were valued far outweighed a short-term financial gain.

It's a move that could help lure the likes of 48-year-old Nick Combes and wife Debra back, with the chance to witness a grand final enough to get them out of their Bowral home at 9am en route to the capital - with a stop in Bungendore for their daughter's game for Uni-Norths.

"Normally we're members, but this year because of COVID we haven't been to many games at all," Mr Combes said. "The stadium is good for a smaller crowd, I feel. It's very exciting, it's state versus state. Queensland and the Brumbies have a fairly big rivalry, it's exciting."