But that's exactly what the current crop of Canberra Raiders have their sights set on doing. And creating their own piece of history in the club's 40^th season.

Coach Ricky Stuart has got the Green Machine up and humming. Making the 2019 NRL grand final. Following that up with last year's preliminary final. Despite a massive injury toll.

But this group of Raiders want to be the best. And they're certainly in the mix to do that as one of the teams to beat in 2021.

They're going in confident. But knowing there's plenty of work to be done to get there.

"We're confident, but you don't want to be overconfident," Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said.

"You don't win comps by talking about it, printing it out and publishing it.

"You win comps off hard work and building foundations and a good culture. I think we've got those things.

"We're not just expecting to do it. We've had two good years, but we haven't won anything so we've got to look at it that way.

"We've set some great foundations. I think defensively we've set some really good foundations over the past two years.

"So we need to build on them and be better at them, and be better at a few other little executions and that will give ourselves a chance.

"Things don't come easy. You can't just go out and win a premiership.

"It takes a lot of hard work and a slice of luck every now and then. A mixture of those things, we give ourselves every chance."

It's a sentiment Canberra fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad wholeheartedly shares.

He said the club's new state-of-the-art gymnasium at their centre or excellence in Braddon was a constant reminder of what the club's achieved.

You can feel the passion to be a part of that.

"You go in the gym and you see a lot of the rich history the Canberra Raiders have," Nicholl-Klokstad said.

"It's about time we create our own history. We've done really well.

"I wouldn't say we're proud of it because we didn't achieve anything, but we know what needs to be done for us to get there and the whole pre-season that's what we've been working towards.

"All of the boys turned up in shape and ready to go and that shows their mentality as well."

NRL ROUND ONE

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: