With the CRRL Cup minor premiership locked up and a grand final berth confirmed, it would be easy to assume the Raiders Under 20s are content.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's not the case. The young Canberra side has unfinished business and is searching for a taste of revenge.
This Saturday, they are slated to play the Gungahlin Bulls in the final round of the regular season. The Bulls are the only team to have beaten the Raiders this year, 34-18 in round six.
That loss remains the one blemish on Canberra's otherwise spotless record in 2020, which the Raiders are eager to erase.
"That game we definitely didn't play our best, and hopefully this week we can string together a good win against them coming into the grand final," Raiders winger and Goulburn resident Tom Croker said.
"The problem was our fundamental errors. We just weren't good enough and they capitalised on our mistakes."
After this weekend's penultimate match, there is only one more game left in the season: the grand final.
Due to COVID-19, Canberra Region Rugby League drastically altered the makeup of the competition to accommodate a shorter season and fewer teams.
With only four sides in the new CRRL Cup, the top two will play in the grand final next weekend.
Due to their dominance, the Raiders are locked in, as are the Bulls, who have secured second place.
Although it would be easy to look ahead to the biggest match of the season, Croker said Canberra is focused solely on Saturday's clash.
"We won't have our mind on the grand final this weekend, it'll be a normal weekend for us," he said.
"Hopefully a win will do a world of good with our confidence. We'll just treat it like another round game."
The Raiders have won six and lost just the one match this season, But despite their success, Croker said the real positive for the team was the lessons they have learned.
Perspective is important for the Canberra side. On paper, their results have been overwhelmingly positive, but they are still young men whose careers are fledgling.
"From our point of view, we've had an up and down season," he said.
"There's a lot of positives and a lot of lessons, which is what this season's all about.
"Football-wise, we've learned about what is actually required, what your role is in the team and how you can improve for next year."
Croker has already taken away plenty such lessons. The 18-year-old has spent much of the year playing on the wing, a far cry from his usual position at centre.
"I feel like I've grown as a player," Croker said.
"In a new position, you learn new things. It's funny how much one change on the field positionally can change so many things in your game. Even just going from centre to wing, there's a lot you have to take in.
"Moving forward, having those positions under my belt could get me into more teams."
Their newfound understanding of the game will be put to good use this weekend against the Bulls. After beating the Raiders, Croker expects Gungahlin to be brimming with confidence, and said they will likely start the match "fast and aggressive".
The Canberra Raiders Under 20s will take on the Gungahlin Bulls from 3pm at Gungahlin Enclosed Oval on Saturday, September 19.
Details about the grand final are yet to be released.
While you're with us...
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up here.