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3 creative ways to get behind the Rabbitohs in the NRL grand final

Don your team colours, order your favourite takeaway and get fired up for the final.

The Butlers decorated their Erskineville home for the NRL finals, 2021.
Sam and James Butler, Erskineville

Footy finals season looks a bit different this year. But the finals are a chance for some fun and friendly competition with your mates – even in lockdown.

Here are some of ideas for celebrating one of the biggest weekends on the sporting calendar.

Go the Bunnies

Redfern's very own South Sydney Rabbitohs will face the Penrith Panthers in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday 3 October. It kicks off at 7.30pm Sydney time.

Show your colours

Show the bunnies some love and dress up or decorate your home. We’d love to see the city decked out in red and green – balconies, letterboxes and flags galore.

For the Butler family in Erskineville, the footy finals are a chance to show their team colours. Their decorations (pictured above) are a family affair, featuring a hand-drawn bunny by Sam, 10.

The Butlers are keen to add more red and green to their home for the grand final.

“We’re looking for streamers, whatever we can find,” Shaun Butler said. “We’re eagerly looking forward to the game.”

For Sam and 7-year-old James, it’ll be the first grand final featuring the bunnies that they can remember. The boys are excited to cheer on their team at home this weekend, especially their favourite player Cameron Murray.

If you do dress up or decorate your home, send us a snap using the form below or tag us on Instagram and we might share it on our social media channels.

Support local business

You can’t get to the pub just yet, but you can bring it home to you. Why not grab a growler from a Sydney brewery or pick up a take-home schnitty and chips to go with the game.

When we asked our Instagram followers how they'll celebrate footy finals, they specifically recommended Lord Gladstone in Chippendale and the Unicorn Hotel in Paddington – but you know your local best. If you’d like to tell us what you’re ordering or share a pic, you can use the form at the end of this page.

Get your mates together – in a Covid-safe way

Big gatherings are out, but inventive celebrations are in. Cheering on your team with your mates is essential for the footy finals feeling.

Under the current public health orders up to 5 fully vaccinated people can meet in a park. We heard from some Instagram followers who’ll take a radio to their local park and enjoy the game with a picnic.

Zoom watch parties are another option for sharing the highs and lows of the game with fellow sporting fans.

Over to you

We’d love to hear how you’re marking the occasion. You can share with us using the form below. If you’re a business doing a special meal for footy finals, let us know.

Congratulations Dees

On 25 September the Melbourne Demons won their first AFL premiership in 57 years against the Western Bulldogs.

Published 22 September 2021, updated 25 October 2021

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