Others will remember him as the tireless coach who has spent the past 14 seasons working to make Wests the best club in Canberra.

But the one thing Robberds remembers after 24 years of service is how Wests became his family.

Like when the club rallied around him after his daughter Gabrielle died in 2010. Wests came together and raised $130,000 at a charity dinner for cerebral palsy.

That's why even though the Canberra rugby stalwart will finish as a first-grade coach, he can't tear himself away from the club he loves.

"I'll still be running around in fourth grade, I've got to win another grand final," Robberds laughs.

"I knew myself it was time [to finish]. It's nothing to do with not being motivated, it's just time to move on and give someone else a crack.

"Wests have been a big part of my life. So I'm not going to go anywhere, I'll still help out and I'll keep playing."

Robberds has two matches left in his John I Dent Cup coaching career, the first a clash against Tuggeranong at Viking Park on Saturday.

It's a fitting return to a venue where Robberds etched his name in Canberra rugby history. Wests had won the first four grand finals of 2005 when Robberds led the first-grade side into action.

He set up the winning try in extra time to cap off a remarkable day and adding to his reputation as one of the best players to have never played for the ACT Brumbies.

Robberds moved to Canberra in 1995 just before the start of the professional era and as the Brumbies were being created.

"Grassroots rugby is as strong as ever. There has been a lot going on at the top level, but it works at a club level," Robberds said.

"I've made lifelong friends, a group of us still catch up every Tuesday night for dinner for the past 15 or 20 years.

"The support I got from the club through that tough period [with Gabrielle] was amazing."

Robberds is the longest-serving coach in terms of consecutive years at one team in the competition.

As a coach he led Wests into grand finals in 2011, 2012 and 2017, but fell short of tasting glory. A disappointing season this year has yielded just two wins and they will miss the play-offs for the second consecutive year.

BRUMBIES NEWS

Wests have already started looking for a replacement as they search for someone to nurture the talented juniors they have coming through the ranks.

"Robbo is a tremendous asset to this club, you won't find anyone more Wests than Craig Robberds," said Wests president Angus McKerchar.

"His willingness to keep building this club is a credit to his commitment and passion for the Lions. He's a legend of Wests and always will be."

There will be no room for sentiment, however, in the showdown with the Vikings.

Wests will welcome back Wallaby-in-waiting Rob Valetini and Tom Wright, but the Vikings will be bolstered by the return of Noah Lolesio, Vunipola Fifita, Darcy Swain, Ryan Lonergan, Lachlan Lonergan and Len Ikitau.

Brumbies players will flood back into the club competition for the run to the finals.

The Vikings are pushing to get back into the top two with just two games left in the regular season.

The top four spots have been locked in, with the Uni-Norths Owls clinching their finals spot last week.

The Gungahlin Eagles are in a perfect position to win the minor premiership, but Royals and the Vikings are lurking and waiting for any slip up to finish the season.

Robberds is just hoping Wests can finish on a high against the Vikings and Owls.

"We're hoping to finish with two wins. We're confident we can win both, it'd be a nice way to end it," Robberds said.

JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND 16

Saturday: Tuggeranong Vikings v Wests at Viking Park, 3.25pm; Queanbeyan Whites v Easts at Campese Field, 3.05pm; Royals v Gungahlin Eagles at Phillip Enclosed, 3.05pm.