Thousands of First Nations people from across New South Wales have battled heavy rain and muddy conditions, determined to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Koori Knockout this weekend.
The tournament has not been held since before the pandemic when the South Coast Black Cockatoos took out the title in 2019 and won the rights to host this year's Knockout in Nowra.
More than 100 teams have entered, and organisers expect up to 40,000 spectators to attend over the long weekend.
The Koori Knockout features men's, women's and junior rugby league sides from across NSW.
The first Knockout was held in 1971, to showcase the talent of Aboriginal footballers, and it attracts plenty of NRL scouts every year.
The tournament has been labelled a "modern-day corroboree" and is an important cultural annual gathering for Indigenous people and a chance to see family and friends from other communities.
It is thought to be the largest gathering of Indigenous people in the Southern Hemisphere.
Organiser Rhondell Lloyd-Bolt said pulling the event together after two consecutive cancellations had been difficult but worthwhile.
"It's deadly to get together — especially after COVID and everything that happened," Ms Lloyd-Bolt said.
"It's awesome for us to host."
Arana from the Waterloo Storm said the wet conditions had been difficult.
"I keep on slipping and all that, yeah it's annoying," she said.
But she said it was great to be playing with a "mad team".
"It's good to be with the girls," she said.
Wiradjuri and Gurnai Kurnai man Dhardyan Pattenhill is playing for a Campbelltown team.
Mr Pattenhill said the bad weather was disappointing, but the best part was always catching up with friends and family.
"It's deadly seeing all my mob and that, seeing my brother boys and the girls," he said.
Tyrell, a Gamilaroi man also from Campbelltown, agreed family was the highlight.
"All my cousins that I haven't seen in ages, they all came down to watch us play," he said.
The games will be streamed by NITV and SBS on demand all weekend with the men's and women's grand finals broadcast on NITV on Monday, October 4.
