‘Sends shivers’: Green Machine inspired after mingling with ‘89 heroes
The current Raiders want to emulate the feats of some of the club’s greats, including Mal Meninga and coach Ricky Stuart, by breaking the title drought for Canberra.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Canberra’s inaugural 1989 premiership squad is inspiring the current crop of Raiders as they aim to return to the NRL finals.
Thirty years after the Raiders prevailed in one of the greatest grand finals of all-time, the legends of yesteryear are ready to pass on the baton.
When Steve Walters was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame on Friday night, the former hooker declared he was sick of watching highlights from the famous victory over the Tigers.
His sentiments struck a chord in the room as Canberra is without an appearance in a first-grade grand final since the 1994 premiership win.
Every game of every round of the NRL LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. Get it all on Foxtel.
Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said his team would take valuable lessons rubbing shoulders with club stalwarts.
“I didn’t realise how much it all means to them,” Croker told AAP.
“For them to come back 30 years later and look at the vision, getting emotional about it; it certainly does change your life.
“It sends a few shivers up the boys’ spines and hopefully we can replicate that this year.
“Those premiership guys want to see some of our highlights now so if that’s not an incentive, then I don’t know what is.”
Coach Ricky Stuart played in all three of the Raiders’ titles and has been giving his players history lessons about the club each week.
MORE NEWS
STICKY’S SECRET PLAN: Raiders introduce new training regime aimed at flaw
JDB FREE TO PLAY: De Belin goes to court, told NRL policy not enacted
‘GUTTER GOSSIPS’: Hadley explodes at social media users making false claims
Star forward Josh Papalii said it had given the players a boost to receive the backing of greats such as Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and Gary Belcher.
“We had a few beers with the ‘89 team there because it’s not every day you walk into a room with so many legends,” Papalii said.
“You get to share your stories and they get to share theirs... we want to be remembered just like those guys are.”
Canberra have missed the past two finals series after making a memorable run to the 2016 preliminary final.
Originally published as ‘Sends shivers’: Green Machine inspired after mingling with ‘89 heroes