Geoff Didier took no prisoners on the footy field, but had a heart of gold on the sidelines.
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It's 1997. Didier, who is no stranger to the ACT judiciary, was sent off in spectacular fashion at Manuka Oval. The crowd was baying for his blood until a young girl with bouncing, blond ringlets and blue eyes came skipping onto the field. Hearts melted as his five-year-old daughter Renee held his hand and helped escort him from the field in disgrace.
![Former Wallaby Geoff Didier, his son Duke and daughter Renee, will gear up for the Royals' 70th anniversary. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Former Wallaby Geoff Didier, his son Duke and daughter Renee, will gear up for the Royals' 70th anniversary. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75vuu1pg5yfaka8uihd.jpg/r0_439_5338_3452_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Twenty-two years later, Renee is representing the same club, wearing the same number and playing in the same position as her father. All three Didiers will be taking the field on Saturday, as Geoff and his son Duke, Canberra's favourite fighting son, take part in the Canberra Royals legends match to celebrate the club's 70th anniversary.
"It's means a lot to me and as the years go by they'll look back fondly on it," Didier said.
"My daughter plays the same position as me; number three, tight-head prop in the front row. That's a nice touch.
"Duke's as fit as a tramp and as strong as a bull, so it will be nice to play with him."
Didier, who played 397 games for the Royals, couldn't wait to pull on the boots when approached by club patron John Kelsey. Running alongside Didier will be dual-international Michael O'Connor and club veteran Jim Taylor.
"We don't officially retire, we can always pull on the boots one more time," Didier said.
"We all miss playing for the Royals. We all miss it so badly and that's why it's such good fun to have the opportunity to pull on a blue jersey at least one more time."
![Renee Didier helped escort her father, Geoff, off the sidelines during a Canberra Royals match in 1997. Renee Didier helped escort her father, Geoff, off the sidelines during a Canberra Royals match in 1997.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc6tghvzcv2211guop8i4d.jpg/r0_0_1344_2046_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The legends match against the ACT Vets will be one of the highlights of the anniversary weekend, which is expected to lure hundreds of former players and officials along to celebrate the club's history.
All grades, including colts and women's, will play at Phillip Oval on Saturday, but the Royals' John I Dent Cup clash against the Uni-Norths Owls will headline the festivities.
Kelsey believes the back-to-back scheduling of the legends and first grade matches will give an opportunity for former players to revive past glories and relive some of their better days.
"It's a testimony to the longevity of the place and it's great that the tradition of Royals rugby has been carried on for 70 years," Kelsey said.
"We've always prided ourselves in playing open running and attractive rugby.
"I'm sure these current guys will be very keen to demonstrate to the old boys that they've carried that on right through until today."
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The crowd at Phillip Oval has been building over the past two weeks in anticipation for the milestone, but coach Wayne Southwell says the Royals need to put their emotions aside to beat Uni-Norths.
"There's a lot to play for but the Owls will be up to it," Southwell said.
"It'll be a tough game ensuring that our objective of getting to the end of the season where we want to be is geared too and not lost in the emotion of Saturday.
"While the occasion is important and big, we hope we can put on a good performance out there, which I'm sure we will."
![The second-placed Canberra Royals are already eyeing finals footy. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos The second-placed Canberra Royals are already eyeing finals footy. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc75lnay6w8r6if05p7ii.jpg/r0_377_4140_2714_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Canberra will have a chance to leapfrog the ladder-leading Gunagahlin Eagles on Saturday, who hold a four-point lead over the Royals.
"We're trying to build towards finals footy," Southwell said.
"It's a matter of getting the good stuff together for a longer period of time, we need to consolidate and settle. That's what wins finals footy and what we want to develop over the next five weeks. It'll be a close finish."
The club will kick off their anniversary celebrations with drinks and canapes at the EQ Cafe and Lounge on Friday afternoon, followed by a cocktail evening at the Hellenic Club on Saturday night. The Royals will also host a 'recovery BBQ' and family day at Phillip Oval on Sunday.
AT A GLANCE
John I Dent Cup Round 12
Saturday: Queanbeyan Whites v Tuggeranong Vikings at Campese Field 3.05pm. Canberra Royals v Uni-Norths Owls at Phillip Oval, 3.15pm. Wests Lions v Easts Rugby at Jamison Oval, 3.15pm.
Bye: Gungahlin Eagles