Fans in a march to Anzac record

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THE players reckon nothing can beat running out in front of a packed stadium on Anzac Day — and the spirit of the Anzacs will lead an NRL fightback on Friday.

In what is shaping up as one of the game's most memorable days, Friday's combined Anzac Day crowds are set to be the second biggest in 107 years of rugby league in Australia.

The biggest attendance for a single day was in 1995, when 136,695 fans attended eight games in round 22, while in 1993 110,576 turned out for six games in round four.

Sonny Bill Williams during the 2013 ANZAC DAY clash between the Roosters and Dragons. Source: News Limited

On Friday, more than 111,000 fans are tipped to pack just the three games being played in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that it could be a rugby league sellout in all three states.

This year, overall crowds have been down by more than 10 per cent over the opening rounds, but that's about to receive a giant boost.

The NRL is expecting more than 40,000 for the game between the Roosters and the Dragons at Allianz Stadium.

The Dragons before kick-off on Anzac Day. Source: News Limited

The clash between the Storm and Warriors is expected to crack 26,000, while in Brisbane they anticipate 45,000 for the game between the Broncos and Rabbitohs.

And on the back of last weekend's bumper Easter crowds, Friday can't come soon enough for the players.

Representatives from the Dragons and Roosters got together at Allianz Stadium yesterday — and to a man the players spoke about the privilege of playing on the nation's most honoured day.

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"I am forever grateful for what they have done for us," Boyd Cordner said. "It's a great way to honour them."

Kiwis Jason Nightingale and Shaun Kenny-Dowall said it was equally motivating for New Zealanders.

Nightingale said the pre-match service always gets the emotions flowing.

"It really gets you going, ­especially when you stand to face the crowd and the anthems are sung," Nightingale said.

NRL ANZAC DAY match between the Sydney Roosters and St. George-Illawarra Dragons at Allianz Stadium. Source: News Limited

"It really gives you a chance to put things in perspective and see just how much everyone supports the game. It makes you recognise just what you are playing for."

Kenny-Dowall added: "You don't need any extra motivation, that's for sure. You feel honoured to be a part of such a prestigious occasion.

"You listen to The Last Post and it's pretty emotional. It gives me pins and needles every time. You look forward to it every year."

Greg Ashton, Shaun Kenny Dowall, Boyd Cordner and Bill Collier speak to the media ahead of the ANZAC Day game between the Roosters and Dragons. Source: Getty Images

Nightingale and Kenny-Dowall said they would like to see the New Zealand national anthem played at the game, like it is for the clash between the Storm and Warriors.

And that might be something the game could consider doing down the track.

"I'd love to see that," Nightingale said. "You get jealous when you watch it in the ­Melbourne-Warriors game.

"They play both anthems and I thought it was something they might introduce.''

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Fox Sports Stats guru Aaron Wallace pointed out Friday will be a day the game will remember for some time.

"This will have to come close to finishing somewhere in the middle of the two biggest crowds on a single day in NRL history, in just three games," Wallace said.

"If there are 25,000 in Melbourne it will be the first time in history there have been games played at three separate venues on the same day with crowds of 25,000 or more.''

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