When Canberra won the Toyota Cup - now known as the Jersey Flegg Cup - back in 2008 the club's future seemed brighter than their lime green jerseys, such was the under-20 outfit's dominance.
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So it's a shock for Wellington Cowboys hooker Travis Waddell, who was Canberra's rake in that 2008 side, that no Raiders side has gone on to win any type of title since.
"Bloody oath," Waddell, who helped the Cowboys to this year's Group 11 title, said.
"There was a few years where they made [the finals] and it just didn't happen. Finals is a different game. They've always had good juniors but people move away and other things."
After that under-20 win Waddell spent four years in the NRL with the Raiders and made finals appearances in both 2010 and 2012, but his sides never went deeper than the second week of the post-season.
The Raiders' top grade premiership drought stretches back to 1994 when they beat Canterbury, and that win 25 years ago was their last grand final appearance too.
They'll start Sunday's grand final against the Roosters as rank outsiders, the latter side are favourites to become the first club to win back-to-back premierships since Brisbane in 1992 and '93. Before that, the Raiders were the last, in 1989 and 1990.
Despite his former club being at long odds, Waddell's backing the Green Machine to fire.
"I reckon they'll win it, to be honest," Waddell said.
They've got a good side and the Roosters do too, but Josh Papalii is a mad player and a mate so I'd say Raiders.
- Travis Waddell
"They've got a good side and the Roosters do too, but Josh Papalii is a mad player and a mate so I'd say Raiders for sure."
Waddell left the Raiders to link with Newcastle in 2013 but he still looks back on his time in the nation's capital fondly, and has plenty of mates still involved with the club.
The Western Rams' connection to that 2008 Raiders side runs deeper than Waddell too. Dubbo junior Brock Dunn was in the side, as was Nyngan powerhouse Justin Carney, while Bathurst St Pat's new captain-coach Zac Merritt was in the front row.
They won that title in thrilling fashion, downing Brisbane 28-24 in golden point extra time.
"We had some good moments, I enjoyed my time there," Waddell said of Canberra, despite the weather.
"I was happy to get out of the cold being a boy from north Queensland but enjoyed my time and have some good mates there.
"Zac Merritt was a good mate and they were a good bunch of country lads. That's the main thing I miss about it."
Of that 2008 under-20 side, only Jarrod Croker remains at Canberra, he's now co-captain, the club's leading point-scorer of all time and an out-and-out Raiders legend.
"He's a great leader and a good bloke," Waddell said of Croker.
Ironically, Waddell's Wellington side also hadn't won a premiership in 25 years, since 1994, before claiming the 2019 Group 11 title.
Sunday's NRL grand final kicks off at 7.30pm at ANZ Stadium.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
