The 2004 Super Rugby grand final was a classic. The Brumbies beat the Canterbury Crusaders 47-38 in a 13-try epic as more than 28,000 fans crammed into the venue.

The problem for Lonergan is he can't remember being there.

"We were watching the grand final the other night on television then my mum told me we were actually there," Lonergan said.

"I don't even remember that. But I know I've been a Brumbies fan for as long as I can remember, I grew up dreaming of getting a chance to play for the club."

Fast forward 13 years and instead of sitting in the stands, teenage Lonergan could be thrown into a Super Rugby initiation against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

Lonergan is one the youngest of a new generation of Canberra juniors trying to get the Brumbies back to the top of the competition.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has reinvested in the capital's pathway programs in an attempt to reconnect with Canberra and give local players a shot at the big time.

The philosophy he's adopted is simple. If there are two players of equal talent but one is from Canberra, the Canberra kid gets a chance.

The proof is in the 2017 squad, which boasts almost 30 per cent of players raised in the Brumbies junior systems.

There's 18-year-old scrumhalf Lonergan, who has emerged as a round-one selection contender in the absence of Argentina international Tomas Cubelli.

Then there's Joe Powell, who's been a Brumbies member since he was four years old. Saia and Anthony Faingaa are back after an eight-year stint at the Queensland Reds.

Tom Cusack is chasing his Brumbies dream after spending the past four years in the Australian sevens team, Jordan Jackson-Hope set up a try with his first Super Rugby touch last season.

Tom Staniforth, Les Leuluaialii-Makin, Robbie Abel and Faalelei Sione round out the Canberra contingent.

"When I first came into the squad it was guys like Peter Kimlin, Colby Faingaa and Robbie Coleman in the Brumbies squad," Staniforth said.

"Now we've got more than 10 and it's awesome. it really promotes Canberra footy and Canberra schools.

"The majority of us are fringe players at the moment. But as the years go on, we want to become starting players. That's the goal for all of us.

"We're all under 23 at the moment. I grew up playing against Joey and Tom Cusack for 10 years. To now be playing professionally with them is pretty special."

The problem with being Canberra juniors is the teasing from teammates. The positive is knowing the capital's backstreets for a pre-season scavenger hunt.

"Somehow Joey, [Staniforth] and I got grouped together and we had all of that local knowledge," Cusack said.

"I don't know how, but we didn't win because we didn't read the fine print.

"Canberra rugby is definitely growing and you can see that by the guys who are in the squad at the moment. I went to sevens to get my chance and now my goal is to chase a Brumbies spot. That's what I've always wanted to do."