Lions out to win charity match for club great

But as Wests prepare for a chance at grand-final redemption, there's much more at stake against the Tuggeranong Vikings on Saturday.

Wests want to use the Vikings' charity match - which will raise money for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance - as a tribute to coach Craig Robberds' daughter, Gabby.

Gabby had cerebral palsy - a pre-birth brain condition that affects mobility - and died after a seizure in 2010 when she was two years old.

For more than two decades, Robberds has been the driving force at Wests and new skipper Angus McKerchar says it's time to repay him. The players rallied around him and his family and helped raise $130,000 at a charity dinner.

Tuggeranong have put their club rivalry aside, playing their part to help the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

There will be jumping castles, face-painting, ACT Brumbies jersey auctions and both teams will wear special strips for the day.

Adding to that, seven-year-old Alex Paton, who has cerebral palsy, will start the game with a ceremonial kick-off.

The occasion makes the match against the Vikings more than just a grand-final rematch.

Flyhalf McKerchar still remembers the heartache at Wests when Robberds was doing it tough.

''It was very emotional straight after, it was a tribute and show of strength and support for Robbo that the boys were there for him,'' McKerchar said.

''The effect of it was felt throughout the whole club … the boys came out and fired up.

''Last time we played in this charity match two years ago we didn't get the win … it had extra meaning to it, it's emotional and we'll be aiming for the win.''

Wests will get a chance to atone for back-to-back grand-final defeats to the Vikings when the teams clash at Viking Park on Saturday.

Robberds has been the heart of Wests since he was the club's first XV ''little general'' for 16 years.

As a player he was named the competition's best player three times and led the club to five premierships, including a heroic performance in 2005 as Robberds set up the winning try in extra time.

But since taking the coaching reins in 2007, the Wests great hasn't been able to clinch the title he desperately craves.

McKerchar says it's time for the players to deliver.

''We're not looking to expect things to come to us, but we're very keen to right the wrongs in terms of what has happened to us in finals,'' McKerchar said.

''There's no doubt Robbo is an inspiration. He was tough as a player … if his contribution to the club by any player or volunteer isn't the biggest, he'd be right up there.

''No one can ever question what he's done for Wests.''