Trent Robinson has turned Allianz Stadium into such a home for the Sydney Roosters during his tenure that at one stage he had his players sleep there.
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Literally.
It was the 2016 pre-season and the Roosters were embarking on another camp scheduled around the ground.
Fond of the history and traditions surrounding both the Tri-colours and their past and present homes around the Moore Park precinct - with Allianz Stadium and the old Sydney Sports Ground and Showground - Robinson had players pitch up a tent and spend nights sleeping on the soon to be redeveloped ground.
"And it rained," Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves told AAP.
"It poured down and everyone got soaked. It wasn't so good then.
"It was just a couple of days and nights where Robbo and Fitzy (assistant Craig Fitzgibbon) wanted to do a special camp where we slept out there in tents."
"But it was pretty special ...
"Obviously there are a few teams that share the ground, but we honestly believe that it's home for us.
"It's a pretty special stadium."
A full-time home to the NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC, few treat Allianz Stadium like the Roosters do.
When Robinson arrived before the 2013 season, the Roosters had won just 23 of the past 52 games at the venue, at a strike rate of 43.4 per cent over the previous four years.
Under Robinson - whose head office is full of Roosters history - that record is 70 per cent.
"Coach is really big on history and all that," winger Daniel Tupou said
"He's drilled that into us since he's been here.
"We've all taken part in that and just remembering all the immortals past and present who have played here."
It's rubbed off on his players who are were aware of the significance of Saturday night's grand-final qualifier against South Sydney - the last game before the stadium is knocked down and rebuilt.
Several ticket categories have already been sold out and there's every chance more than 41,260 people could cram in - the NRL record set when St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers faced off in the 2005 finals.
"I've thought about it a fair bit to tell you the truth," co-captain Boyd Cordner said.
"When someone brings it up, this is the last ever game that's going to be played here.
"I do care about this place, it is my home, the Roosters are my home.
"I debuted on this ground and I'm going to play the last game here.
"I've had a lot of great memories here, Anzac Day clashes, and everything like that.
"It definitely holds a special place in my heart."
Australian Associated Press
