Only metres from the aircraft's gate, a striking floor-to-ceiling mural screamed at visitors 'Welcome to Wellington', while a smaller statement boldly declared the city's favoured team.
"You are now in Saints territory", said the poster, with a St Kilda emblem centred between images of the suspended Stephen Milne being chaired by Lenny Hayes and Justin Koschitzke, and action shots of Nick Riewoldt and Jack Steven.
The out-of-favour Koschitzke may not have been gracing the AFL field back home but his popularity amongst the club's fans couldn't be questioned at the airport.
A small group of supporters, some of the 2500 Saints fans in town, saved their biggest cheers for the 30-year-old as he emerged from customs.
The fans were heard before they were seen - renditions of 'When the Saints Go Marching In' could be heard from the luggage belt.
Walk a bit further into the airport and another huge poster jumps out at you.
"At Dusk, it Dawns. Live in NZ," it reads, before promising those less familiar with the game an experience they won't forget.
"You've never seen football like this."
Strolling through Wellington, you can see the love for the Saints who have visited the country before and strongly promoted their brand.
Their hotel has rolled out the red carpet with club banners hanging in the foyer and red, white and black decorations in the bar.
Pubs along the main street in the CBD are advertising the game, with most of them also featuring St Kilda logos.
The Swans aren't without following. It was expected around 1500 supporters wereflying in, with another few planes due on Wednesday afternoon.
When their training-bound team bus snaked around the tight corners of Wellington's city on Wednesday morning, commuters stopped and watched.
Every hotel in central Wellington is booked out. New Zealand's AFL scholarship holder Kurt Heatherley, in town to help with the game's promotion, is staying in backpackers' accommodation.
The 34,000 seat Westpac Stadium, or the 'Cake Tin' as it is colloquially known, is ready to go. The grass is pristine, the goal posts are in, the pre-game nets hanging and there are club scarfs on the back of seats in function rooms waiting to host corporate supporters.
The Saints trained there on Wednesday evening with around 200 of their supporters turning out to watch, cheer and sing along to Stan Walker and Samantha Jade, who were rehearsing for Thursday.
One stadium staff member couldn't believe the number of fans who came, just to watch training.
"That's just amazing," she said.
There have been over 20,000 tickets sold. One local said Kiwis tend to "just turn up to things", so the Saints' dream of breaking 25,000 is very much alive.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is on the list on dignitaries attending thegame, along with AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan, general manager national and international development Andrew Dillon, and commissioners Sam Mostyn and Linda Dessau.
Kieren Jack and Nick Riewoldt stand before the picturesque Wellington Harbour. Picture: AFL Media
'The Voice of Australia' Craig Willis will moonlight as 'the Voice of New Zealand', with the iconic emcee to take care of pre-game formalities instead of his traditional Anzac Day gig at the MCG.
On Wednesday, the local paper – the Dominion Post – features a story on an 80-year-old St Kilda fan who has travelled across to see her beloved boys play.
There is also a small explanation on why players wear "tight-fitting short shorts" that are "just south of undies".
On the back page, Adam Goodes is speaking about the Swans playing with intensity and toughness – like the All Blacks do.
There's a box in the second AFL story on the back page that blares, "AFL, Live in NZ. 01 DAY TO GO".
The locals are excited, with taxi drivers keen to chat about the masses of people swarming around town mid-week and hotel staff blown away by the numbers needing beds.
Swans coach John Longmire says, "Anzac Day is one of the most significant days you can actually play sport on". Saints coach Scott Watters believes it's the sort of occasion that can help build culture at a club.
Nick Riewoldt is thrilled to play on Anzac Day after watching Essendon and Collingwood do it every year since 1995, and Leigh Montagna says they'll all remember this for the rest of their lives.
Someone will win an Anzac medal for being best on ground and one team will claim the Simpson-Henderson trophy for the first time.
And hopefully, the enthusiasm and hype surrounding the first game for premiership points outside of Australia will not be confined to Thursday alone, with more games pencilled in for the next two seasons.
Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.
