Canberra Raiders legend Bradley Clyde (Raider #97) has been named Viking Ambassador for week two of the NRL Finals, and will blow the Viking Horn to start the Viking clap at GIO Stadium Canberra on Saturday night.
Clyde played 178 matches for the Green Machine and was involved in the club's three premiership squads in 1989, 1990 and 1994. Clyde received the Clive Churchill medal for player of the match in the 1989 Grand Final, the clubs first premiership.
He said the way the Raiders' finals series started last week in Canberra was something special, and despite the result, said he was excited to be a part of it in week two.
“Seeing the spectacle of what the game delivered last week and the full house in the nation's capital was something special, and the players on the field didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to get down there on Saturday and be a part of it,” Clyde said.
Although he missed the opportunity to play in the 1990 finals series and premiership win through injury, Clyde said it was fantastic to see the club claim its first minor premiership this year since that memorable season.
“You set the season out to be the best team in the competition, and it's an indicator if you end up on top of the ladder, it's for a reason,” he said. “They’ve committed themselves to be the best every week, and the level of football they’ve played this year is outstanding.”
“As a past player, I’m really proud of the current team and the 25 season. I guess the new finals season kicked off last week and it was game on. It was an incredible spectacle of rugby league, and this week we have two evenly matched teams again.”
Clyde said the way the team has played this year and the style of football they have delivered has been something he’s really enjoyed, and the contributions were coming right across the field.
“I’ve loved how our leaders have stepped up and guys like Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii have provided strength in defence, but also the leadership qualities of not switching off at all and being able to contest and engage on every play. For me that’s most important thing in a game is to be engaged on every play and we’ve done that this year,” he said.
“I’ve loved the way we’ve used our speed. It has been great scoring tries from anywhere on the field and our outside backs have added another dimension to our play.”
“I’ve enjoyed the offloads from the forwards, and they have provided opportunities which has been great to watch as well. The way in which we can go down the short side every now and again is something I believe we don’t see enough of in the modern game and the Raiders do that better then anyone. Ricky and the coaches have obviously working really hard on the skills of the players this year.”
With the Raiders now playing sudden death football, Clyde said he was confident that the side could handle the pressure, and they’d shown all year they could.
“We’ve seen so many games this year where the team has come up with the clutch plays, and I have no doubt they can continue to do this in week two of the finals and all the way through to the Grand Final.”
