For countless Canberrans travelling up the highway to Sydney, the journey usually begins with getting on a Murrays bus.
It was the same start of the journey for the Canberra Raiders on Wednesday, making their way to Sydney for their first grand final appearance in 25 years.
Unlike most bus rides to Sydney, however, this trip had legions of fans lining the streets to cheer the team on ahead of Sunday's clash against the Roosters.
Hundreds of Canberrans gathered outside the Raiders' Bruce headquarters and on streets outside Canberra Stadium in a sea of green.
Roads were closed off to traffic, as fans tried to get one last look at the team in the nation's capital before they headed into enemy territory.
Even the Viking horn was part of the procession, making the trip to Sydney on the back of a truck to the cheers of supporters.
And they’re off. @RaidersCanberra bound for Sydney and the Grand Final @RaidersCanberra#NRLGFpic.twitter.com/xyWZfsDJce
— Andrew Brown (@AndrewBrownAU) October 2, 2019
Among the fans wishing the team well was Frank Divito, who was there with his dog Billy, dressed up in green.
He said he had never seen the levels of support in Canberra for the Raiders.
"I wasn't even thought of when the Raiders won their last grand final, and this week is a big deal," he said.
"There's big support here in Canberra."
A roar from supporters went up as each of the players came out from the Raiders' headquarters and onto the bus, some carrying Subway orders and board games for the road.
While all eyes and phone cameras were trained on the Raiders bus as it drove along the route, many players on the bus were seen filming the crowd and the Green Machine fanatics.
Nicholls resident Lucky Campbell has been supporting the Raiders since the team's entry to the competition in 1982.
She said she made it out to the side's departure from Canberra to wish them luck.
"It's important for sure to give the boys some extra boosts of encouragement and send them off on a high," she said.
"Once they get to Sydney, they'll be booed left, right and centre."
One Sydneysider who won't be booing the Raiders, however, is 12-year-old Ryan McKee, who was also in the crowd on Wednesday.
While he may live in Elanora Heights in Sydney's northern beaches, Ryan first grew up in Canberra and has been cheering on the Raiders since he was three-years-old.
"I've always been a Raiders supporter," he said.
"Back at home, people mostly go for the big Sydney teams, and if I go to the shops, there's no Raiders supporters there.
"I went to the grand final last year, but I've never seen the Raiders in one, so it will be more special this year."
Long after the team bus had made its way onto Northbourne Avenue, fans were still hanging around Bruce, many blasting the team song Bad and Mean, the Green Machine.
For many in the crowd, the excitement for the team was palpable, many counting down until the big game
"The Roosters won't get away with the match like they usually do," Ms Campbell said.
"The Roosters'll be in for a rude shock."
Only four sleeps to go.
