NRL finals 2024: Manly fans plan to hijack Accor Stadium from Bulldogs ahead of elimination final

The Sea Eagles are sick of accusations they don’t leave the Northern Beaches, with ticket sales showing the maroon and white army is ready to hijack Accor Stadium from Bulldogs fans.

Manly fans are sick of accusations they don’t travel outside the Northern Beaches. Picture: NRL Imagery

We’re sick and tired of being kicked in the guts.

Angry at being persecuted for failing to travel to away games, Manly fans are ready to hijack Canterbury’s home final on Sunday afternoon.

Around one-third of members’ tickets sold have been bought by Sea Eagles fans with early predictions indicating between 10,000 and 12,000 Manly supporters could converge on Accor Stadium.

Manly fans have long been accused and teased about only attending games at Brookvale Oval.

But ticket sales for Sunday’s elimination final have shown the maroon and white army is prepared to travel west to Sydney Olympic Park.

Manly fans are sick of accusations they don’t travel outside the Northern Beaches. Picture: NRL Imagery

The NRL has been forced to open a second bay for Sea Eagles supporters after the first bay sold out quickly. And Manly fans are buoyed by the return of superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic.

While Canterbury fans will attend in their masses, Manly fans won’t be drowned out by the notoriously passionate Bulldogs supporters.

A crowd of around 40,000 is expected at Accor Stadium with more than 30 per cent to be Manly fans.

“I’m sick and tired of hearing that our fans don’t travel. They get kicked in the guts for that misconception. They will be there in force this Sunday,” said Manly CEO Tony Mestrov.

“There’s no doubt that Manly fans outnumbered all other clubs in Las Vegas earlier this year and our fans are on board for Sunday’s final. They have been incredible all year.

“We have had a lot of sellouts at 4 Pines Park this season so I would encourage our fans to come again for the finals.

The Sea Eagles were too good for the Bulldogs when they met in Round 26. Picture: Getty Images

“Manly and Canterbury are two old Sydney rivals and this is a new competition. We know that and the Bulldogs know it.

“The players know it’s special and that they have an opportunity to win a premiership – it’s there for us and ‘Turbo’ (Trbojevic) is also back.

“I know we didn’t play well last week (against Cronulla) but there is a good feeling in the club and I’m confident we can turn it around.

“There will be plenty of public transport going out there so check your timetables. It’s our first finals appearance since 2021.”

Fifty-year Manly fan Martyn Penny added: “There will be maroon and white everywhere. Manly fans will travel, don’t worry about that.”

Manly have sold out 4 Pines Park in eight of their home games in 2024. Picture: Damian Shaw

Manly sold out 4 Pines Park in eight of the club’s ten home games this season.

There is considerable anticipation for this all-Sydney game, despite both sides being well beaten last weekend. Manly was thumped by the Sharks while the Bulldogs were whacked by North Queensland.

TAB bookies have Manly as $1.85 favourites with Canterbury the $1.95 outsiders.

“Down in Canberra (in round 23), a lot of our fans went down and it really helped the team,” Mestrov said. “The players felt that support on the field.”

Originally published as NRL finals 2024: Manly fans plan to hijack Accor Stadium from Bulldogs ahead of elimination final