Motivation for a grand final against your biggest rivals isn't hard to come by, but the Queanbeyan Blues are calling on the "tough bastards" of yesteryear for extra inspiration.
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The Blues are holding a 30-year reunion for the 1987 first grade and reserve grade premiership-winning teams at the Canberra Raiders Cup grand final at Seiffert Oval on Sunday.
The Blues will meet the Queanbeyan Kangaroos in the decider to set up a bumper cross-town derby and a fitting tribute to the heroes of 1987.
That year's Blues beat the Kangaroos 6-4 to clinch the first grade premiership, just hours after the Blues' reserve grade side beat their cross-town rivals 20-6 to win back-to-back titles.
Blues captain-coach Terry Campese is itching to add to his 2003 premiership win, and the men that "bled" for each other are providing him with the motivation.
Thirty years on the Blues have the chance to do the double again, with the club's reserve grade side in the hunt for another trophy against the West Belconnen Warriors.
"It was different back then when they played, they played with their heart on their sleeve each and every week" Campese said.
"They used to work hard every day and then turn up to footy. That was the main difference. They used to be tough bastards back then, didn't they?
"They still remember some of these games like it was yesterday, which is crazy because I can't remember what happened two weeks ago.
"When they talk about football, they talk with a lot of passion, so that's what I love about it."
Campese had a few goals he wanted to tick off when he returned to the Blues as captain-coach this year.
He obviously wanted to win the premiership, and he wanted to bring his junior club back together off the field.
It goes beyond having a few old boys telling stories from years gone by - as the Blues walk onto the field before grand final kick-off, every player will hold the hand of a club junior.
It's something the Blues do before every home game with Campese keen to build club culture from the ground up.
The Blues are out for redemption after the Kangaroos won a major semi-final battle two weeks ago and Campese says having both sides in the decider is "great for Queanbeyan".
"That's the best thing about football, meeting up with old teammates that you've bled for in games and just talk about the past," Campese said.
"It's good for everyone's health as well, you get together and you talk old times.
"[We're] looking forward to it. There's going to be some guys that wore the jumper with a lot of pride and you always want to play well in front of the guys that have worn the jumper before you."
CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP GRAND FINAL
Sunday: Queanbeyan Kangaroos v Queanbeyan Blues at Seiffert Oval, 3.30pm.
