But maybe, maybe he'll get one if they win the NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.

Whitehead's received a message of support from former Raiders enforcer Brent Todd, who was part of the Green Machines' maiden premiership in 1989.

As part of the 30^th anniversary this year, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart got some of his players to reach out to members of the premiers.

Whitehead got Todd, who owns a tattoo parlour in Bali.

He visited him earlier this year, when a few of the Canberra Englishmen popped over following the Parramatta game in Darwin.

The current Raiders are trying to create their own history, and the 89ers are right behind them.

"I spoke to him at the start of the year and I got to meet him when I went to Bali," Whitehead said.

"It was nice to get a message off of him and he just wished me all the best this week and also just enjoy it and make the most of it.

"It was nice to get that message off of him. I'm sure a lot of the other boys will get messages off their old boys as well.

"He said I could get free tattoos, but I'm not one for tattoos. I might get one in a few months.

"Maybe. I haven't decided yet. My mum would kill me if I got one."

Given Whitehead's one of three England internationals in the Raiders' team, there's been an influx into Sydney from the Old Dart this week.

Bateman's brother and grandmother arrived on Wednesday, with his brother getting to the Dally M awards night just in time for the main course after his flight was delayed.

Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson has also had a raft of brothers and relatives come Down Under.

Bateman said the connection with the past players had been driving the team towards the grand final.

Raiders football assistant Brett Dickson, aka "The Count", has been teaching and testing the players on Canberra's history all season.

"One hundred per cent. [Stuart] was a massive part of that this year," he said.

"It's the anniversary of the grand final 30 years ago. The Count, the kit man's been fantastic.

"He's literally filled us with it all year, he's told us what it's all about, he's introduced us to the players.

"It's been fantastic. I'd put that to a big reason why we're where we're going [this] week."

NRL GRAND FINAL

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili 21. Sebastian Kris.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho. Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall.