When Jackson Irvine saw the flare scorch marks on the Federation Square stage roof, he couldn't help but grin at the memory of some of Australian football's most captivating scenes.
Melbourne's packed-out, colourful and noisy fan site became the spiritual home of the Socceroos - and a key motivator for coach Graham Arnold - as Australia went on a barnstorming golden run at last year's World Cup in Qatar.
Now Irvine, and fellow Melburnians Bailey Wright and Aziz Behich, have urged the fans who packed Federation Square to head to Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night for Australia's second friendly against Ecuador.
"One of the highlights of the whole experience for us was seeing the scenes at home and here in particular for us Melbourne boys," midfielder Irvine told reporters at Federation Square on Monday.
"Hoping that we get a similar reception tomorrow night at Marvel.
"It's great to be back and it's a bit surreal obviously standing here and seeing flare burn marks in the ceiling.
"It was absolutely incredible."
Defender Wright will step in for the injured Harry Souttar (ankle) in his home town.
He urged the locals to turn out as the Socceroos attempt to back up Friday night's 3-1 win in Sydney, and hopefully surpass the CommBank Stadium crowd of 20,668.
"When we saw the scenes and what we did to this place - I mean just look at the roof and you can see some real evidence of what was going on here," Wright told reporters.
"But I get goosebumps now thinking about what we did to a nation, what we did to Fed Square and how it brought everyone together.
"We're back here playing now and we want to get as many people down there supporting us as we can at Marvel and make sure we put on a show for many people and hopefully they keep coming back and support us all the way."
Behich will play in front of family and friends in his home town for the first time since a friendly against Brazil at the MCG in June 2017.
"I'm just still snatching tickets off the boys," he joked.
"I'll have a fair few out there, so it will be a nice moment."
