Canberra Raiders Cup Grand Final Preview

For the third year straight a Queanbeyan derby is set to take the Canberra Raiders Cup grand final by storm, as the Blues and Kangaroos will battle it out for the 2026 bragging rights.

Facing each other only two weeks ago in the major semi-final, the Blues and Roo’s have set the standard for not only the season but the past few years.

Having earnt themselves a week off following a 22-0 victory in the major semi-final, Blues captain-coach Dylan McLachlan has declared his side will need to go to another level in the Grand Final.  

“I do know that it’ll be a completely different Roo’s outfit this weekend, and we’re going to have to go to another level ourselves,” McLachlan said. 

On the other side of the field, Roo’s captain-coach Adam Quinlan was weary of the Blues recent success in the matchup but remained confident in his team’s potential.

“We’re coming up against an extremely good team; they outplayed us two weeks in a row," Quinlan said. 

"So, we’ve got to step it up a lot and everyone’s aware of that, I know they’ll come out and give their best because our teams been based on effort all season.”

Entering Saturday afternoons showdown, neither the Blues nor Roo’s are unfamiliar with one another, having already faced each other three times this season, with the Blues leading the head-to-head 2-1.

Despite these results, both outfits will know that form guides go out the door on grand final day, particularly when the emotions of a local derby are taken into consideration.

“It’s a great rivalry; we’ve got mutual respect there. It’s exciting, it’s always fun, the town loves it, and I know both teams will be up for it,” McLachlan said. 

“It’s great for the community, great for the town, and it's that local derby, adds a little bit more to it," Quinlan said. 

"Two great football teams both want the same thing, and unfortunately in this game only one team can get it.”

When both teams run out on Saturday afternoon, there will be a few key players to look out for on either side of the ball.

For the Blues, it’s hard to look past bustling front rower JJ Clarkson, who is coming off a man of the match performance in the major semi and consistently sets the tone through the middle of the field.

As for the Roo’s, look no further then Adam Quinlan, who was instrumental in his sides 58-0 romping in last week’s preliminary final, crossing the line on two occasions and setting up a few more.

Fans will be treated to an absolute belter to close out the 2026 season, as either the Blues or Roo’s will add to their storied histories.