Raiders icon Mal Meninga is set to lead an 80,000-strong Viking Clap to mark Canberra's first grand final appearance since he led them to victory 25 years ago.
Preparations are under way in the nation's capital and at NRL headquarters for the spine-tingling pre-game chant to head up the highway to ANZ Stadium next Sunday.
Meninga – the last premiership-winning captain of the Raiders in 1994 – has been sounded out to blow the club's Viking Horn before kick-off.
NRL Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Abdo confirmed the Viking Clap will be used for the Canberra Raiders’ run-on before the grand final on October 6.
“Canberra have made the Viking clap one of the great pre-game traditions in Australian sport and we will absolutely facilitate it happening on grand final day," Abdo said.
"To have an Immortal in Mal Meninga sound the horn pre game will be one of the iconic moments in the sport.
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“We’re looking forward to celebrating the traditions of both teams during grand final week and on grand final day.”
The chant made for astounding scenes moments before Canberra's 16-10 preliminary final win over South Sydney, with a record crowd of 26,567 led by 1989 Raiders title-winner Dean Lance before kick-off.
A second impromptu clap rang around the ground two minutes before full-time while Canberra's spiritual leader Sia Soliola also kicked off a celebratory rendition afterwards.
