So imaginations ran wild and brought renewed hope for the die hards that "this will finally be our time to earn a place in history".

Will it be? Is this the time for the Canberra Raiders and the ACT Brumbies to break their title droughts? Will one of the capital's own win gold at the Olympic Games?

Let's gaze into Canberra sport's crystal ball and see what we've got in store for the start of a new decade.

RAIDERS SNAG THE TROPHY

Butcher Lindbeck might need to take on an apprentice come September, because orders for green sausages are going to have his phone line running hot.

It won't stop for at least a month as Ricky Stuart's Canberra Raiders avenge their NRL grand final defeat and end a 26-year premiership drought.

How do they get there? The Raiders have retained the bulk of their squad and added an international calibre halfback to their roster in English import George Williams.

The playmaker shows touches of brilliance in the season opener on the Gold Coast but takes a few more weeks to truly settle into the NRL.

The Raiders start the season without Jordan Rapana but the star winger is lured back from Japan once his rugby union commitments draw to a close in May.

He is welcomed back to Canberra Stadium like a hero and plays a key role in the Green Machine's charge towards the finals - much like a host of teammates as they earn State of Origin honours.

Jarrod Croker finally breaks through to earn a NSW Blues jersey alongside Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric, which pits the trio against Queensland enforcer Josh Papalii as he stamps his mark as the game's premier front-rower.

BRUMBIES REMAIN ON TOP

How much will a changing of the guard really change?

Not too much with the ACT Brumbies set to top the Australian conference and book a place in the Super Rugby finals.

Gone are the likes of David Pocock, Christian Lealiifano, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold and Henry Speight.

But up to the plate step the likes of Tom Cusack, Darcy Swain and young gun Reesjan Pasitoa to lead the Brumbies to a semi-final appearance.

The absence of a Wallabies resting protocol will see Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio, James Slipper and Tevita Kuridrani lead the way as the Brumbies turn Canberra Stadium into a fortress.

It starts with a scorching season opener against the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on January 31.

OLYMPIC DREAMS

Kelsey-Lee Barber's life has been a bit of a blur since she was crowned Australia's ninth athletics world champion.

But that is nothing compared to what javelin's golden girl should be expecting if she can back up her world championship win in Tokyo this year.

Barber looms as one of Australia's biggest Olympic Games gold medal hopes following a meteoric rise over the past 12 months.

The 28-year-old has already thrown her Olympic qualifying distance and her status as world champion eases the pressure before July's Games.

But there are plenty of Canberra athletes feeling the pinch as they look to secure qualifiers.

Rugby sevens star Sharni Williams will join Barber in reaching the summit while basketball trio Patty Mills, Marianna Tolo and Kelsey Griffin will claim another coloured medal.

THE KING OF THE PEOPLE?

The wait for Australia's first male grand slam tournament winner since Lleyton Hewitt goes on for another year.

But perhaps the biggest win for Nick Kyrgios in 2020 is the dial begins to turn on the public's attitude towards him.

One of Australian sport's most polarising figures plays with all the flair we have grown accustomed to but bows out to leave some old codgers up in arms.

It seems winning the respect of the wider public looms as Kyrgios' toughest task - perhaps more so than any major.

But some will begin to realise they spend their time asking for athletes to show some personality and cut them down the moment they do.

Maybe then the attitudes will change.

A GIANT AGREEMENT

The heads are buried in the books to work out if the price is right to bring an extra AFL game to Canberra per season.

The ACT government is entering the ninth year of a $23 million, 10-year deal to host three of GWS' regular season matches and one pre-season game at Manuka Oval per season.

Government officials have given their preferences for the terms of the new deal to the AFL which is also set to include AFLW games.

But discussions about a fourth premiership game being added to the agreement fall flat with officials signing off on a similar deal.

The Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns will join the Western Bulldogs in playing for premiership points in Canberra next season with crowds to take a small hit due to clashes with Raiders NRL games.

CRICKET HISTORY

The best in the world will take centre stage at Manuka Oval in February on the road to the Twenty20 World Cup final.

Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy shatters her national record for the fastest Twenty20 international century against Bangladesh on February 27.

But first a run of four home games to end the season sees the ACT Meteors reach a maiden WNCL final before falling short in the decider

The ACT government soon strikes a six-year deal with Cricket Australia to maintain Canberra's place on the international and Big Bash League calendars.

QUICK SINGLES

She will be lucky to have played more than 20 minutes in almost two months but Kelsey Griffin returns like a woman possessed to lead the Canberra Capitals to successive WNBL titles.

Canberra United end a two-year W-League finals exile but the fairytale comes to a close one match short of the decider.

Lightning strikes twice for the Canberra Brave as they suffer another shock semi-final exit in the Australian Ice Hockey League.

Former boxing world champion Jeff Horn begins his path to the super welterweight crown with a showdown against Jessie Vargas at the National Convention Centre after talks with Tim Tszyu hit the backburner.