Meat pies are being offered as an enticement to beef up the crowd for the opening Super Rugby quarterfinal in Canberra on Friday night, as the appetite to watch Australia's most successful franchise diminishes.
The Highlanders have typically found the Brumbies' headquarters a frigid, hostile environment when it was known as Bruce Stadium, but interest has waned dramatically in the Australian capital despite the two-time champions claiming Australia's conference.
So the cash-strapped franchise hopes pies for the first 2000 fans through the gates at GIO Stadium and limited free parking will boost spectator numbers - a task complicated by an unusually early local kick-off time of 6pm [8pm NZ time].
Stadium officials feared the usual 7.40pm start time, combined with a potential frost, would make it impossible to get line markings and sponsors painted on the field before the Canberra Raiders' under-20s match against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday at 10.40am.
The Raiders' Intrust Super Premiership Cup affiliate team also play the Warriors before the NRL main game and because the curtain raisers are being televised they could not be relocated.
Moving the quarterfinal to Sunday was suggested by the Brumbies but Sanzaar wanted a Friday night game and delaying the clash to Sunday would disadvantage the winner if they had to travel for a semifinal.
Brumbies interim chief executive Phil Thomson hoped the free pies and parking - before 4.30pm - and understanding employers would combine to facilitate an imposing atmosphere after poor turnouts for derbies against the admittedly weak Reds and Force.
Only 9830 watched the victory over the Reds on July 1; 9387 witnessed a lacklustre win against the Western Force last Saturday.
The last two crowds after the June break have been down a little bit, but weather conditions have probably played into that a little. It's been a lot colder," Thomson told Fairfax Media.
"I think Canberra just needs to realise it's an important game, it's a quarterfinal. We need people to grab a blanket and come along."
Contributing to the Highlanders costs also meant the gate was important as the franchise is already braced to post a financial loss.
"We have to pay [the Highlanders] a set amount, obviously we've got our normal stadium costs that we have to pay for and we rely on getting people out to the ground to ensure it's a financially viable option for us.
"That's what we're hoping for, to get as many people as we can .... a good crowd will certainly help our financial situation this year."
Meanwhile, the return of David Pocock to the openside flank would boost the Brumbies prospects of recording their fifth successive home win over the Highlanders, who last celebrated in Canberra in 2006.
Pocock suffered a fractured eye socket while playing for the Wallabies against England last month and returned to training last week sporting a protective face mask.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham was hopeful Pocock could return but the sabbatical-bound star needed a medical clearance.
Kiwi-born loose forward Jordan Smiler faces the same predicament after injuring a knee playing in the World 10s in Mauritius during the international window last month.
"They have to be cleared by the doctor but it looks like they're in contention to be selected," said Larkham.
The Highlanders have no fresh injury concerns following their 25-15 triumph over the Chiefs on Saturday night.