"Thank god Canberra made a bloody grand final again before I died."
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And if they win? While there'll be plenty of cans floating around the sheds, there'd better be a kettle as well. Because that's what Steve Jackson will be knocking down in celebration.
You see, the grand final hero Jackson, gave up drinking a few years back and not even his beloved Green Machine will see him jumping off that wagon.
So coffee will be his poison of choice. Not Raiderade. Not a St Patrick's Day special. A percolated number will be what he's looking for.
"I gave up drinking seven years ago. Someone said if Canberra wins the grand final will you have a drink?" Jackson said.
"No, I'll never drink again, but I'll have a nice strong coffee."
He thought he was going to get the chance to have one three years ago, when the Raiders went within a couple of Edrick Lee dropped balls of making the decider. (Sorry Edrick, Jacko's words not mine.)
But he's had to wait a few more years, having been dying too ever since he barged over for the try that's earned him 30 years of free parmies.
He was off to Western Suburbs at the end of the 1989 season. Was still playing when they triumphed again in '90 and '94.
So patiently he's been waiting for the chance to see them in the grand final again.
Now his wait is over. And by the sounds of it, look out baristas.
"Thank god Canberra made a bloody grand final again before I died, that's for sure, because in '94 when they won it I was still playing then," Jackson said.
"And it's taken another 25 years for them to get back in. I tell you, I think I'm going to make up for lost time."
Back then they were the underdogs. Everyone wrote the Raiders off. They couldn't possibly contend with the Balmain stars. Their forward pack was no match for the Tigers' one either.
Sound familiar? It should do. Same stuff's being said this time around. Funny old thing football. Sometimes the script writes itself.
Glenn Lazarus certainly hopes so. The Brick With Eyes. He was part of that pack. Took the knocks personally too.
Now he's dreaming of the same happy ending.
"It would be a great, great story. It reminds me so much of '89," Lazarus said.
"The [Raiders] forward pack probably doesn't look as good on paper, but they've played really well as a unit - led by Joshy [Papalii], who's playing very well, and was very unlucky not to win the Dally M [on Wednesday] night.
"Absolutely they can [take it to the Roosters' pack].
"Everyone's talking about the match-up with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Papalii.
"That's going to be a great clash, but all year they've just played as a unit.
"They're in people's faces in defence and they're all going forward with the footy and offloading.
"It's been great to watch them play, I've really enjoyed it, so fingers crossed."
All of Canberra will be joining you Glenn. Crossing whatever they can get their hands on in the capital.
And you mention Papalii. How good has he been? Well let me tell you. Match-winning good. Scoring meat pies right at the death good. Making it a habit good.
It's a habit the old Raiders' front-rowers hope he keeps up.
"Canberra produces front-rowers that do amazing things," Jackson said.
"Glenn Lazarus, I was a reserve grader and I was at the right place and right time for my try.
"Look at Paul Osborne, he had a great grand final in 1994. You had Quentin Pongia.
"Look at the front-rowers Canberra has produced over the years. It's quite amazing."
It's not just hard-nosed book-ends that bring back memories of the past. Of the Raiders' glory days. When the trophy loved nothing better than coming up the Hume Highway to be broken.
Lazarus has loved seeing his old stomping ground turn green again. Although he's happy it's doing it from afar.
His stomach turning green at the sight of those sausages. (Sorry Butcher Lindbeck, the Brick With Eyes' words not mine.)
Reminds him of the time when the fountains turned green on their victorious return from the Harbour City. Let's hope they turn that colour again - along with the trams.
"It'd be great for the town," Lazarus said.
"The one thing the week has done is brought back memories of how the community, fans and the people of Canberra have just really enjoyed and celebrated with the team.
"I've watched stuff all week about the training sessions, the green bread and sausages - they look disgusting, but hey it's grand final time.
"The Raiders are in the grand final so that's what you do.
"It's just been wonderful seeing all that. I'd just love to see them win it for all those reasons."
Speaking of Queenslanders. What's the greatest Raider of all thinking? How's he enjoying his old Green Machine charging back up the highway like she's got a fully worked donk that Summernats would be proud of?
Probably enjoying it a lot. When he's not blowing Viking horns and potentially giving out premiership rings to players that is.
It's got him glowing with pride. Just as Canberra is. Proud of their team. Hoping they can knock off the tall poppies from Bondi. With all their salary sombreros and icebergers.
"I think as players and ex-players, certainly for Canberra, there's a sense of pride and it enables you to - I haven't seen as many Raiders supporters come out of the woodwork that I've ever seen really," Meninga said.
"Even in Queensland there's a whole heap of Raiders supporters up there going to make the trek down to Sydney to watch them play.
"It means a lot to the community It means a lot to Raiders supporters because it's been a while for the club.
"Like most supporters it gives them a sense that their team's successful, a sense of pride, and it gives them bragging rights over their mates that support other clubs.
"That's what it is. It's a good time in Raiders' supporters lives at the moment."
Good times indeed. Hopefully about to get even better. Better put the kettle on.
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: 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili.
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: 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall.