NRL Fans Flood Las Vegas for Historic Bulldogs vs Dragons Season Opener
Footy fever has reached an unprecedented peak in Las Vegas, with hundreds of passionate NRL fans descending on Sin City ahead of the historic season opener between the Bulldogs and Dragons. The Bulldogs were greeted by a sea of devoted supporters at Resorts World, where fans queued outside a nightclub venue for the chance to meet their heroes just days before the groundbreaking match.
Devoted Fan's Journey to Vegas
Among the crowd was Rodney Jarrett, a diehard Bulldogs supporter who made an extraordinary effort to witness his team play in Vegas, 20 years after suffering a serious accident. "Unbelievable. Crazy so far. I can’t wait for the actual footy game to get started," Rodney told reporters. Meeting the players was a dream come true for him, particularly seeing his favourite player Viliame Kikau. "It was good. It was unbelievable to meet them, especially Kikau. He’s my favourite," he said. When asked if he ever imagined seeing the Bulldogs play in Las Vegas, Rodney was emphatic: "Never. No, I wouldn’t even have thought about it. It’s unreal."
Community Support Makes Dream Possible
Rodney’s partner Heidi and friend Blair played crucial roles in making the journey possible, describing the extensive planning and logistics required. "It’s been a long journey of planning, organising, getting right down to the fine details," Heidi explained. "It’s something that we didn’t think was anywhere near possible, but it takes a whole village to make it happen, and plenty of hours, research, tears. All of it." Blair added, "I don’t cry at things. And I had tears in the plane seeing him sitting there. You can’t imagine how wonderful it is to see somebody like Rodney doing this and being here."
Rugby League Takes Over Las Vegas
With just days to go until kickoff, rugby league has well and truly taken over Las Vegas, marking a significant moment for the sport's global expansion. The excitement among fans is palpable, as they gather to celebrate this historic event, showcasing the growing international appeal of NRL.
