Canberra Raiders inspired by 1989 premiership-winning side

It’s fitting that it’s Retro Round, as a thrilling young Canberra side push for an NRL premiership with uncanny echoes of the Raiders’ title-winning legends of 1989.

• LATE MAIL: Titans dump Taylor, Leilua parachuted

• GENERATION WOW: Who is the NRL’s best rookie?

A young, exciting team overflowing with talent but dismissed as a premiership threat.

If it sounds like the 2019 Canberra Raiders, then it equally applies to the legendary 1989 squad that claimed the club’s first title.

Captain Jarrod Croker is a goalkicking centre. So was captain Mel Meninga back in 1989.

Live stream the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial >

If there is a team worth looking back to, it’s this great one.

John Bateman is a relentless back-rower. So was Bradley Clyde.

Josh Hodgson is a world-class hooker. So was Steve Walters.

Josh Papalii is a powerhouse prop. So was Glenn Lazarus.

Although still young, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is a fine running fullback. So was Gary Belcher.

Nick Cotric is a State of Origin back. So was Laurie Daley, who played centre in ’89.

While the current side hasn’t achieved anything yet, coach Ricky Stuart — the ’89 halfback — knows there are distinct similarities with the team that shocked rugby league 30 years ago.

In ’89, Canberra finished fourth; this side is third.

There was also a runaway minor premier in 1989 (Souths), as there is now (Melbourne).

LISTEN! Brett Finch and Paul Kent are back in the studio with Matty Johns to dig out some fun memories for ‘70s Retro Round, analyse Kalyn Ponga’s mega-deal and Kenty details his Tuesday feud with Ivan Cleary.

Canberra’s biggest test will arrive this Sunday afternoon with a massive game against fellow title aspirants and defending premiers, Sydney Roosters, before a home crowd of around 20,000 fans.

“I know they have used ’89 as a backdrop and motivation for this season — let’s hope it will be the same result. It was 30 years ago — it all ties in nicely,” Clyde said.

“Ricky has made reference a number of times around that this season, drawing comparisons about the run home. In 1989, we had to win 10 in a row.

Bradley Clyde reckons the modern Raiders can live up to the club’s history.

“If these guys can do something similar, they can hold up the cup on grand final day. “Canberra has a real healthy mix of experience and young players – not too dissimilar to 1989.

“The next couple of weeks will be a real indicator as to how they are actually tracking. They never had too many problems scoring points but they have managed to stop bleeding this season.”

Belief is growing for the modern day Green Machine. Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Daley, a rising star during the 1989 grand final, agreed with Clyde.

“We were a good young side that hadn’t achieved anything but we came through and shocked everyone,” Daley said.

“There’s no reason why this current side can’t do it. They play an exciting brand and are as good a chance as anyone. There is a lot of hard work to be done between now and then but if they continue on the path that they’re on, they can certainly win it.

“No one fancies this side — there are more highly credentialed teams. We were like that back in 1989. In terms of similarity, yes, there it.”

Canberra still sits behind Melbourne, Sydney Roosters and South Sydney in the opinions of many.

But Clyde said the current team has a genuine self-belief.