If it wasn't for him there's absolutely zero chance the AIS Arena would be in line for the major overhaul it's desperately needed for the past two years.

ACT Brumbies and Wallabies fans would argue he already had made a difference, given his match-winning penchant for forcing turnovers during his days as a professional rugby unionist.

And they'd have a point. Both he and his wife Emma had sunk themselves into the Canberra community back then and if it wasn't for serious knee injuries who knows what Super Rugby spoils he might've helped return to the ACT.

He'd also shown his compassion to make the world a better place - both on and off the field.

Pocock helped change the culture of rugby when he stood up against homophobic language on the field, bringing NSW Waratahs forward Jacques Potgieter's unacceptable comments to the attention of the referee.

And who could forget his commitment to the environment when he was arrested for chaining himself to a super-digger in protest against the controversial Maule's Creek mine near Tamworth in 2014.

And now he's back winning for Canberra again. This time in his life as an independent senate-hopeful running in the upcoming federal election.

The pressure he's putting on incumbent Senator Zed Seselja to retain his seat has finally opened the purse strings for the ACT.

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As a Labor stronghold, Canberra's been neglected by the feds in recent years with their election spending heading to marginal seats like Townsville as part of the infamous Sports Rorts Affair.

The Canberra Times revealed Seselja's been forced into pledging $11.4 million to reopen the AIS Arena, which has lain dormant since 2020 due to safety concerns.

Its only use since then has been as a COVID-19 vaccination hub, forcing WNBL powerhouse Canberra Capitals to find an alternate venue to play finals games.

The ACT's also been unable to host Super Netball games, NBL games or concerts due to a lack of viable venues.

Seselja's also floated the idea of building a boutique 10,000-seat stadium at Viking Park - although there's no funding for that idea as yet.

Without Pocock's presence on the political landscape neither of these would be on the table.

It's why he's already made a difference - without even being elected. Provided the AIS Arena funding is a "core" election promise and gets kept.

If Pocock can keep that pressure on, like a world-class, openside flanker at the breakdown, imagine what else he can accomplish in the remaining 38 days before the polling booths open.

Maybe the Viking Park idea could become an election-promise reality. Dare to dream.

If a week's a long time in sport just imagine how long it is until May 21. Almost long enough for dreams to come true. Or at the very least to become a promise.

Now imagine if Pocock could get funding for that utopian dream of a Civic Stadium by then he'd barely have anything left he'd need to accomplish on the ACT sporting landscape.

Although, have you heard about those plans to bring a Supercar race back to Canberra David? Let me introduce you to a couple of people who'd love to have a chat ...