The Tuggeranong Vikings are John I Dent Cup champions for the sixth time in eight years after winning the grand final on Saturday, but the result was driven by a man who wasn't even at the ground.

In what will go down as one of the most special wins in the club's rich history, the players drew inspiration from Lealiifano and dedicated their triumph to their mate in hospital after beating the Queanbeyan Whites.

ACT Brumbies skipper and Vikings stalwart Lealiifano has started chemotherapy after being diagnosed with leukaemia a week ago.

The way Lealiifano took time out to support the Vikings as he faces his own fight added motivation for the players and his photo was pinned to the wall inside the Tuggeranong change rooms.

But the most touching moment was when Lealiifano gave his boots to Vikings back-rower Dean Oakman-Hunt, who idolised Lealiifano when he was growing up, and asked him to wear them in the grand final.

Oakman-Hunt scored in the first half and the Vikings held on in a Canberra rugby cliffhanger to beat Queanbeyan Whites 26-22 at Viking Park.

"Christian said he really wanted me to wear his boots in the final and I said I couldn't do it," Oakman-Hunt said.

"He left a note for Jordan Jackson-Hope to bring them to training on Thursday and the note said he wanted me to wear the boots and get the win.

"It was an absolute privilege. I've grown up watching him since I was 14. I've done a bit with the Brumbies this year and Christian was always so welcoming and helped with that transition.

"He's always been there for me ... he's such a legend. I can't even describe it. The note said he wanted me to wear the boots and get the win.

"Every grade had Christian in the back of their minds."

The Vikings had to survive a tense last five minutes as the Whites rallied and peppered the line in search of a match-stealing try.

But Queanbeyan hearts were broken when the referee awarded Tuggeranong a penalty just metres from their own line.

Oakman-Hunt scored Tuggeranong's first try of the game in a frenetic opening that started with the Whites opening up a seven-point lead in a see-saw battle.

The Vikings hit the lead with 15 minutes to play when hooker Michael Henry scored from the back of a rolling maul, but Queanbeyan refused to lie down.

They were held up over the line with three minutes left and threw everything at the Vikings to try to snatch the title.

The Vikings were beaten at the death by Royals in last year's grand final, but this time they found a way to hang on.

It capped off an impressive day for the Vikings, winning the John I Dent Cup, reserve grade, Colts and the first division second grade premierships.

"We had some nice photos of Christian in our change room ... we spoke about it briefly and he was with us today for sure," Vikings coach Tim Sampson said.

"We knew it was going to be tight. It took a really big effort to hold them out."

The Vikings have played in the past eight grand finals in a row and have asserted their dominance over a decade.

Lealiifano played in the heartbreaking loss last year alongside the majority of the players who erased the demons by beating Queanbeyan.

"There are a lot of guys who wanted to redeem themselves – everyone had a point to prove," Brumbies and Vikings back-rower Jarrad Butler said.

"The Lealiifano name is a massive part of the Tuggeranong family. A lot of the guys played for him and we wish him well at this time where he's really fighting. We know he'll pull through. This one was for him as well."

AT A GLANCE

John I Dent Cup: TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 26 (Dean Oakman-Hunt, Michael Henry, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Ernest Suavai tries; Isaac Thompson 3 conversions) bt QUEANBEYAN WHITES 22 (Carl Elliot, Soakai Tai, Andrew Smith tries; Brendan Spears 2 conversions, penalty). Man of the match: Jordan Jackson-Hope (Tuggeranong)

Reserve grade: Tuggeranong Vikings 27 bt Queanbeyan Whites 17. Man of the match: Siope Naeata (Tuggeranong).

Colts: Tuggeranong Vikings 27 bt Royals 26. Man of the match: Cam Holts (Tuggeranong)

Women's: Royals 17 bt Tuggeranong ViQueens 12. Player of the match: Irene MacArthur (Royals)

First division

First grade: Goulburn 18 bt Gungahlin Eagles 17. Man of the match: Jackson Reardon (Goulburn)

Second grade: Tuggeranong Vikings 25 bt Wests 13. Man of the match: Andrew Dickson (Tuggeranong)

Second division

Cup final: Bungendore 21 bt Taralga 15. Man of the match: Ben Marmont (Taralga)

Plate final: Batemans Bay 28 bt Boorowa 15. Man of the match: Andrew Fleming (Batemans Bay)