Terminator 2: Judgement Day was a box office success, Nirvana 's Nevermind was at the top of the charts and half of the playing squad weren't born.

Then, just to add extra difficulty to trying to prevent the all-conquering Tuggeranong Vikings win a fifth straight title in Saturday's grand final at Viking Park, the Royals must contend with Wallabies representative Christian Lealiifano.

It's an uphill battle for Royals to lift the trophy for the first time in 24 years, but at least coach Wayne Southwell knows what it takes to defeat the Vikings in a big game.

Southwell was in charge of the Queanbeyan Whites when a Nic White penalty goal after the siren sent the silverware across the border in 2010.

"When I was at Queanbeyan was the last time Tuggeranong didn't win it," Southwell said.

"I guess the fire keeps burning.

"It's an exciting week and it's been a fantastic season as far as I'm concerned personally."

The Royals have come close on a number of occasions since their last triumph in 1991, having come up short in six grand finals.

They finished fourth on the ladder this season before knocking off Wests and Queanbeyan in back-to-back weeks to book their place in the decider.

"The season proper was a little bit up and down and like a lot of clubs we had a run of injuries and so on," Southwell said.

"It was a matter of making the four and then it was one game at a time.

"We're on a roll at the moment and everyone's in a good space and feeling good and excited.

"It's a matter of using those emotions to our advantage."

Both sides are boosted by a number of Brumbies-contracted players.

Lealiifano headlines a strong Vikings contingent including Rodney Iona, Nigel Ah Wong, Jarrad Butler and Joe Powell, while Siliva Siliva, Tom Staniforth and Lausii Taliauli will line-up for Royals.

Vikings have again been the benchmark this season, losing just two games, but captain Gareth Clouston said they wouldn't be taking Royals lightly.

"Five premierships in a row would be pretty special for the boys, but we've got a big task ahead of us," Clouston said.

"Watching Royals play Queanbeyan last week was definitely an eye-opener, they looked pretty strong.

"We'll forget about all the games we've played against them this year because grand finals are a different game."

Having played for Royals in two previous grand finals, captain Tyson Tamihere knows how desperate the club's supporters are for success.

"One thing I've learnt is that Royals has probably the strongest support in Canberra," Tamihere said.

"It was pretty amazing what they were able to do in 2013 with the community getting behind the club in general.

"From my perspective, really being able to manage the adrenaline is something you have to do because everyone gets pretty pumped up for a final.

"Once that wears off, that's when the real game kicks in."

SATURDAY: John I Dent Cup grand final: Tuggeranong Vikings v Canberra Royals at Viking Park, 3.25pm. Field 1: Second grade: Queanbeyan Whites v Tuggeranong Vikings, 1.20pm. Colts: Tuggeranong Vikings v Canberra Royals, 11.40am. Field 2: Women's: Canberra Royals v Tuggeranong Vikings, 1.05pm. Third grade: Queanbeyan Whites v Tuggeranong Vikings, 11.25am. Fourth grade: Wests Lions v Tuggeranong Vikings, 9.45am.

TUGGERANONG VIKINGS: 1. Liam McGrath. 2. Michael Henry. 3. Phil Kite. 4. Gareth Clouston (c), 5. Michael Oakman-Hunt, 6. Dean Oakman-Hunt. 7. Rowan Perry. 8. Jarrad Butler. 9. Joe Powell. 10. Rodney Iona, 11. Jerome Niumata. 12. Nigel Ah Wong. 13. Francis Fainifo. 14. Jake Knight. 15. Christian Lealiifano. Bench: TBA. Coach: Brad Harris.

CANBERRA ROYALS: 1. Jay Cash. 2. Siliva Siliva. 3. Ryan Kotlewski. 4. Tom Staniforth. 5. Nathan Selwood. 6. Tyson Tamihere (c). 7. Brendan Woodward. 17. Steve Sione. 21. Brent Hamlin. 10. Craig McMahon. 11. Tim Cornforth. 20. Pedro Rolando. 13. Jason Swain. 19. Lausii Taliuli. 15. Ben Johnston. Bench: 16. Michael Andrew-Copsy. 8. Dean Paragalli. 18. Luke Fisher. 14. Jamie Bodman. 12. Harry Burey. 9. Reece Coble. 22. Ed Larkin. 23. Anthony Chan. Coach: Wayne Southwell.