Daring Sea Eagles fan Dean Downie. Picture: Daniel Aarons Source: Daniel Aarons / DailyTelegraph
GRAND Final fever has skyrocketed across Sydney, with thousands of NRL fans preparing their war paint for Sunday's cross-town clash at ANZ Stadium.
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Sea Eagles tragic Dean Downie on Thursday drove his maroon-and-white-painted car deep into Roosters territory - and left it double-parked outside East Leagues Club in Bondi Junction.
He joked he may need a police escort out but in the end thick skin was enough to get him through unscathed.
"About 20 people have got hurt necks because they keep shaking their heads," he said. "I've had about five 'you suck', about six 'Manly suck' and the rest I can't say because they're rude.''
But public opinion about the team everyone loves to hate is changing, thanks to Geoff Toovey's devotion and tendency to yell and scream at referees, which has seen him earn the adoration of footy fans from all over the country.
The man affectionately known as "Tooves" is transforming public opinion on Manly - the team everyone loves to hate - with his refreshing honesty.
At Thursday's gala Grand Final lunch at The Star he won over the crowd by wearing his heart on his sleeve and becoming the butt of yet another joke about his blow-ups in the coaching box.
As a montage of his angriest moments for 2013 was shown, Toovey said he never wanted to see the day when the game lost its passion.
The player-turn-coach was fined $10,000 this season for his post-match outburst after a game against South Sydney but in the weeks that followed the overwhelming reaction from fans was that the game had done itself a disservice by fining him for speaking the truth.
In Darling Harbour, hundreds of passionate fans from both sides of the turf war caught a glimpse of their favourite players at the annual Grand Final Fun Day
Tumbalong Park was morphed into a mecca for rugby league nuts as kids were covered in Easts and Manly colours and their parents engaged in some playful biff.
Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello told the crowd he was pumped for game day.
"It's always great to be a part of the last game of the season and I'm really looking forward to it, we're all excited," he said.
"It's great to see all the fans turn out today, we've had some great fan support throughout the year, we've had the highest average crowds all year so we're looking for a great atmosphere on Sunday."
Friends Deacon Cameron, 11, and Jai Caswell, 6, made the trip down from the Central Coast to barrack for Manly.
"I'm excited,'' Deacon said.
"I want them to win but it'll be hard because Roosters are minor premiers.
"My favourite player is Daly Cherry-Evans and Jai's is Wolfman.''
Across town at Moore Park, 100 of Sydney's youngest footy fans gathered for a special grand final week rugby league skills clinic.
The little tackers spent time brushing up on their kicking, tackling and try-scoring - not to mention a bit of Grand Final week sledging.
Sea Eagles fan Luca Dailly, 12, said he was excited to see them in another grand final.
"It's exciting to see them play, and all my friends go for them too, so it will be good," he said.
His mate Cooper - a Roosters fan - said it was "a big thing" for his team to be in the Grand Final.
The eight-year-old is hoping to see his favourite players "Jennings, Minichlello, Mitchell Pearce and Maloney" live at the game.
"I might be going to the game, I want to see the real thing and not on TV," he said.
***
DRUNKEN louts could be slapped with a $550 fine if they cause trouble in the Sydney CBD this long weekend.
More than a million people are expected to flood into the city for the International Fleet Review, NRL Grand Final and Fireworks Spectacular display.
But the celebrations aren't an excuse for bad behaviour, Australian Hotels Association NSW chief executive Paul Nicolaou says.
"Even though assault rates at pubs and clubs are at their lowest levels in 15 years we are keen to ensure we do everything possible to ensure patrons have a good night out," Mr Nicolaou said.
Drunk and abusive patrons who refuse to leave a venue will be hit with a $550 on-the-spot fine.
Arguing with police or hotel staff won't get you anywhere, City Police Superintendent Mark Walton warns.
"After 10 schooners, so many (people) decide to self-promote themselves and argue at the bar table,'' he said on Thursday.
"But the fact is, they're boofheaded bush lawyers who need to leave.''
"If you refuse, you'll be fined.''
Extra security and police will be out in force in a bid to curb violence, in particular in the George Street and Kings Cross areas.
Hotel staff at about 50 venues will distribute leaflets to make sure revellers know about the fines.
"In Australia, we generally see that community pride or team spirit goes hand-in-hand with celebratory alcohol consumption," Supt Walton said.
"Employees of licensed premises will be watching for signs of intoxication.
"If you've had too much and you're asked to leave, then leave - it's the law.
"Don't argue with hotel staff - drunk people don't win arguments. You don't have a clear head, so listen to the sober hotel employee or police officer when they tell you to go home.
"If you refuse to leave, you'll be fined," Supt Walton said.
An electronic billboard mounted on a truck will also circle the CBD on Friday and Saturday nights.
Foreign sailors visiting for the International Fleet Review have also been briefed on the law, Supt Walton said.
The "Stop! Is it worth $550?" campaign is a joint initiative of AHA NSW and NSW Police.
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