HAVING only seen the new Wembley stadium during July's televised Live Earth concert, Catalans Dragons forward Alex Chan is expecting a very different atmosphere this weekend when he walks out for the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final.
And, according to team-mate Jason Croker, victory in Saturday's final against St Helens would be up there with winning the 1994 Australian Grand Final for Canberra Raiders.
At 32 and 34, Chan and Croker are the two oldest players in the Catalans squad. Both used their years of experience to turn in superb displays in their semi-final victory over Wigan and will be required to put in similar shifts if the Dragons are to become the first French side to lift the famous 110 year old trophy.
For Chan, Saturday's game will be his second at Wembley, having played at the old stadium as a junior Kiwi. It will also allow him and his family some extra sleep on cup final day.
"Growing up in New Zealand, cup final day was always about getting up in the early hours and crowding round the TV with the rest of the family," he said.
"Usually, it was to watch Wigan win yet another trophy. This year to actually play there and have my family in the crowd will be a fantastic experience.
"Playing at the old Wembley was a little unreal. I was only 18 at the time and didn't fully grasp the situation so I think it will be very different this time round. I've only see the new stadium on TV during Live Earth and it looked really, really big. I don't think it will really hit me until I walk down the tunnel for kick-off."
Second rower Croker is also looking forward to Saturday's final and is surprised on two fronts.
He said: "I never thought I'd play in France, let alone turn out in a Challenge Cup Final. My biggest achievement was winning the '94 Grand Final for Canberra against the Bulldogs, but to play on such a huge stage as Wembley will certainly be up there."
Both forwards also believe Catalans' victory over Saints during Round 22 of engage Super League will have little influence over Saturday's result and are calling on the neutrals to give the Dragons some extra support.
Chan said: "We took a lot out of the home game against St Helens and came out of it with a lot more confidence going into the final. We know Saturday will be very different as we won't have our 8,000 home fans behind us.
"However, I hope the neutrals in the stadium get behind us the same way they did at Warrington in the semi-finals. It was a great feeling at the Halliwell Jones to have so many behind our team, it certainly helped. I think regardless of how many French fans are in the crowd it will be a great atmosphere and a great day."
Croker added: "Saints have an extremely good side and they'll be more fired up having lost to us in the league. To beat them we're going to have to match them player for player and hope it will be as hot as when we played them at home.
"On Saturday we're going to need all the help we can get and if that means the neutrals getting behind us then so be it. All help will be greatly appreciated."
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