Tuggeranong Bushrangers supporters filled the change rooms to celebrate the club's first grand final berth in 11 years, but coach Justin Giteau says the job's not finished until they win a maiden title.
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The Bushrangers booked their ticket to a grand final showdown with the Woden Valley Rams when they dominated a preliminary final against the West Belconnen Warriors at Seiffert Oval on Sunday.
The Bushrangers powered their way to a 22-0 win and in the process ended Warriors coach Troy Thompson's tenure after the former Canberra Raiders prop revealed he was stepping down from the position.
But while the Warriors were left to lament missed chances, it was party time in the Bushrangers rooms after earning a shot at the premiership for the first time since 2007.
Giteau took the coaching reins last year and had a vision of transforming the Bushrangers' culture of making up the numbers to being a genuine Canberra Raiders Cup threat.
"Sometimes it takes time. I've never coached in a grand final before, but I don't want to be there and make up the numbers," Giteau said.
"The goal now that we're in there is to win it. It is [a massive moment for the club], you can see that with all the supporters in here singing the song. We haven't had that all year.
"There are guys who have been around here for a long time who have been a part of a losing culture. To have a bit of success now is great."
The Bushrangers could be boosted by the return of up to four injured players, including Michael Brophy, when they face the Rams. The Rams are playing in their first finals campaign since 2009 and are aiming to break a 22-year premiership drought.
But Tuggeranong will have its own slice of history to play for given the club is yet to taste first-grade premiership success.
Tuggeranong will draw confidence from their loss against the Rams two weeks ago. Tuggeranong led by 16 points in the first half, but stumbled and ended up losing 24-16.
They showed in the game against the Warriors they've improved. They completely dominated the first half and led 8-0 at the break. But instead of slipping away, they withstood a Warriors fightback to win comfortably.
Tuggeranong junior and hooker Josh Mitchell finished with a 14-point haul, including icing the cake by scoring the last try.
"It's a massive thing for us, this has been a goal from day dot in the pre-season," Mitchell said. "We did it the hard way, but we stuck to our game plan and got the job done. It's a great feeling.
"It's been a culture [change]. Gits has changed that, all the boys are ripping in for each other. On the field we're all brothers and that's a big difference that's helped us this year."
Mitchell opened the scoring with a penalty, but Tuggeranong had to wait until just before half-time to land their first major blow when a grubber bounced off defenders into Atu Tupou's arms for the first try.
The Warriors were somehow still in the contest with 20 minutes left, but they struggled to hold the ball long enough to challenge and tries to Livinai Tuicakau and Mitchell killed off any hopes of a late comeback.
Thompson led the Warriors to a grand final win two years ago, but is stepping down from his coaching role after three seasons.
"I thought we defended pretty well, but we just looked out of sorts when we had the ball. We were just gassed," Thompson said.
"I've just got so many other commitments going on, so it's full on. Probably the best part about it has been we're one club. No one feels out of place here, which is great the club has that culture."
AT A GLANCE
TUGGERANONG BUSHRANGERS 22 (Atu Tupou, Livinai Tuicakau, Josh Mitchell tries try; Josh Mitchell 5 goals) bt WEST BELCONNEN WARRIORS 0 at Seiffert Oval on Sunday.
CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP GRAND FINAL
Sunday: Woden Valley Rams v Tuggeranong Bushrangers at Seiffert Oval, 3.30pm
