Uni-Norths Owls aim to end 27 years of John I Dent Cup pain

The pictures serve a double purpose. They're a reminder of the day a shaggy-haired hooker known as "Lord Laurie" led ACT rugby foundation club University to its only John I Dent Cup title.

They're also a reminder that the now joint venture between University and Norths hasn't played in a grand final since that moment at a sun-soaked Manuka Oval in 1992.

Fisher and a group of his '92 teammates will gather again, hoping a new generation can create new memories by keeping their title hopes alive.

The Uni-Norths Owls will play the Tuggeranong Vikings in the premier division preliminary final at Viking Park on Saturday. The winner will advance to the grand final to play against Royals.

If Sam Rolfe's unheralded side needs any motivation, they need only look into the eyes of Fisher's men on the hill because they've walked the exact path.

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University beat Tuggeranong in a preliminary final 27 years ago and then beat Royals in the grand final.

The Owls won their first final as a merged entity when they shocked the Gungahlin Eagles last weekend.

Foundation clubs University and Norths came together in 1998 to stay alive in the competition. Norths, also a John I Dent Cup foundation club.

Norths won seven premierships as a stand-alone club, but hasn't played in a grand final since 1975.

The history and the title drought will make the Owls sentimental favourites in their showdown with the Vikings, who are set on redemption after failing to final in a qualifying final last week.

"It has meant a lot," Rolfe said. "It was amazing [last week], people crying after the game. There were hugs everywhere, it was a great atmosphere to be a part of.

"It's great to have the monkey off the back. But we're not here to make the numbers up, we're here to go the whole way. We're here to win the premiership."

The Owls' strength this year has been in their numbers. A club that has traditionally struggled for numbers because of its student base has used 43 players in first grade this year.

They are also set to be bolstered by the return of Lachlan Osborne this week, who has been in Japan trialing with clubs.

"We're keeping a few more Canberra-based players now. To have 43 players in first grade this year is crazy considering a couple of years ago we only had 15 or 20," said fullback Callum Richardson.

"When I saw some guys in tears last week and then we sung the club song [with fans] on the hill, there was a good feeling of euphoria. We've got to bring that again."

The Vikings certainly won't be easybeats. They've played in nine of the past 10 grand finals, winning seven premierships.

"No doubt there will be a big crowd and everyone will be going for Uni," said Vikings coach Nick Scrivener.

"We played poorly last week so we just want to get up and give ourselves a chance.

"It comes down to who plays better. We've got a very clear focus on how we want to play and how to be better. But worrying about the hype of [Uni] being on a roll ... you just have to focus on execution.

"We need to be better as a team. I thought we let a lot of people down [when we lost] last week."

ACT RUGBY PRELIMINARY FINALS

Saturday

JOHN I DENT CUP: Tuggeranong Vikings v Uni-Norths Owls at Viking Park, 3.25pm.

Women: Easts v Royals at Viking Park, 1.15pm.

Colts: Gungahlin Eagles v Queanbeyan Whites at Viking Park, 11.35am.

Second grade: Gungahlin Eagles v Queanbeyan Whites at Viking Park, 1.25pm.