The South Sydney Rabbitohs are a club that has beaten all the odds.
Put simply, they were there at the start - founded in 1908 only to be exiled nearly a century later.
After two years in the sporting wilderness fighting a bitter court battle they were reinstated on the back of patron George Piggins, a man who was widely considered to be their savour after he mortgaged his house and headed the legal challenge.
But Piggins, a former coach and player at Redfern, turned his back on the club when it was purchased by Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe and businessman Peter Holmes a Court.
The Souths icon hasn't watched his beloved Bunnies from the ground in more than a decade in protest to the buyout and said publically he wouldn't watch the final unless $100,000 was donated to charity. Fortunately for Piggins, the money was raised and he will be at the ground on Sunday.
It is just one special moment in a magical year that Souths fans are hoping will culminate with a first trophy in 43 years.
Home ground
To think of the club "belonging" to Redfern doesn't accurately capture the popularity of the Bunnies, who lead the National Rugby League in terms of membership with 30,504 on the books. A win will likely see that number grow next year.
Some have come from interstate too see the players in action this weekend.
Honeymooners Michael and Aleisha Gauci have made their post-wedding celebration a motorbike ride from Brisbane to be in Sydney for the Grand Final.
"I come from a family of Wharfies, a family of working class Souths fans. I think I would be kicked out if I wasn't a Souths supporter," Mr Gauci says.
The Rabbitohs also have a huge Indigenous fan base. After all, they have often been blessed with some of the most talented Indigenous players. This squad is no different.
According to former South's fullback Rhyss Wesser - who now works in the club's community program, that Indigenous heritage is one of South's strengths.
"It is hugely important for our culture,” he says. “We play rugby league; we love rugby league.
“Having Beau Champion, Nathan Merritt and Greg Inglis also helps.”
The foundation club has long been carried on the shoulders of hard men like Mario Fenech who toiled decades ago, but his heart still beats for the Bunnies.
The club stalwart says he was in tears after the Rabbitohs defeated the defending champions the Roosters to qualify for this final.
"I am a tough man and I started crying,” he says. “I get emotional because it means a lot to you. It's a bit like life and death.”
A long road
It's been 43 years between trophies for South Sydney. William McMahon was prime-minister when John Sattler last led the Rabbitohs to the top.
And the club captain, who played in one Souths final with a broken jaw, believes the work of George Piggins and Russell Crowe has rescued the once-great club from oblivion.
"The club was not in a real good state. Things were up and down and topsy turvy. But now that its being run by professionals it is just magnificent," he says.
Fans across Sydney have embraced South's fairy-tale story. Rick Allan is one of them. The Malabar local was 8 when the Bunnies last claimed the top prize and painted his house in the famous cardinal red and myrtle green to mark the moment.
"I am maybe the nuttiest but I don't think I am the biggest Souths fan,” he says. “Traditionally Redfern is where it started but over the years the supporter base has got bigger as well.”
That's something he and Mr Wesser agree on,
"It means so much for the Redfern, La Perouse, Tempe community. We are all coming together as one under the red and green as on and everyone is looking forward to Sunday."
For a century-old club that returned from two years in exile. Waiting another 12 months is possible, but they want Christmas to come early this weekend.
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