Canberra Raiders Cup: Major Semi Final Preview

The Queanbeyan Derby takes centre stage on Saturday afternoon at Seears Workwear Oval, as the Kangaroos and Blues face off in the Major Semi Final for the second consecutive year, with both sides desperate for the week off and first grand final spot. 

The Queanbeyan Kangaroos enter finals action in a familiar position; after securing their third straight minor premiership, with this being something Captain Coach Sam Williams acknowledges as a good reward for their efforts this year. 

"It’s nice to have. The regular season is difficult because it’s a very close comp and you’re not always at your very best. Sometimes you’ve got to find ways to win but it's something that’s nice to have," Williams said. 

"Means very little but it gives us a home final, a place we love playing at and that’s the advantage out of all of it really."

Having secured the minor premiership in Round 18, it provided an opportunity for Williams to rest some players before preparing for another premiership tilt. 

“We gave a couple of blokes a rest, blokes who played big minutes and also probably more importantly, gave some players who needed a bit more time on the field, to give them that time so that’s probably what we took out of it."

"It’s important to take confidence into the finals but it was sort of probably more about getting a few combinations going again as well."

The Kangaroos have suffered two defeats against the Blues this year, with Williams taking the learnings from those games, however, knows finals football is a different game. 

"We probably learnt a few things more about ourselves in those games and the areas we need to be a lot better in."

"So hopefully that does happen, but I’m confident with where we’re at now, the middle of the season and finals football – they’re very different. It’s a whole different style and just looking forward to it now.”

Meanwhile, for the Blues they enter the finals series after having the bye in the Washout Round, with this providing the group an opportunity to rest before pushing for the title. 

Blues Captain Dylan McLachlan was one of those players afforded a rest and is confident the squad is ready to go. 

“I was able to freshen up and have the week off last week as well with a couple of little niggles, I’ve had the finals series on the radar for a little while now and the way that we finished last year wasn’t the way I’d like to finish personally, but also for the team, I really want to turn that around this year and I’ve got confidence we can do it," McLachlan said. 

Before their bye, the Blues had an indifferent month going two wins and two losses, with McLachlan noting the consistency within games being something that needs to improve in the next three weeks. 

"It's just consistency with us. We can put 60 minutes of great footy together and then sometimes can play 20 minutes of footy that we don’t really train for."

"Trying to find a balance and minimise the difference in our game, we’ve probably learnt more about ourselves than anyone else through that period it was tough, finals is a different game of footy altogether so we’re really looking forward to this week."

Despite claiming two wins against the Kangaroos in the regular season, the Blues and McLachlan are aware of their opponent's ability in the finals. 

"Every single time we play them it's tough, it’s a full 80 minutes and the whole Queanbeyan town gets behind it. It’s a really great feeling, and good for the comp, they put it on us in the finals last year, so we’re looking to turn up.”

In 2024, there were two draws in the regular season before the Kangaroos defeated the Blues in the Major Semi Final and Grand Final. 

With the recent history between these two sides, anything can happen on Saturday afternoon and it wouldn't be shocking, with this contest one you don't want to miss.