Queanbeyan is set for another ripper of a local derby as the Blues and Kangaroos prepare to face off on Saturday at Seiffert Oval in round two Canberra Raiders Cup action.
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It comes after the Blues claimed a four-point win over Goulburn, while the Kangaroos topped Woden by seven, last Thursday night.
The two local rugby league heavyweights last faced off at Seiffert in last season's grand final where the Kangaroos took a 17-16 victory to claim the competition silverware in what was the most physical game in recent years.
And with both sides fielding a number of new players since that game, the rematch is set to fire up again in front of what should be a vocal crowd at the former home of the Canberra Raiders.
One of the Blues' strongest recruits was that of past player Andrew Mack, who has returned to the club after a stint playing in south London.
He said there had not been a focus on grand final redemption against their cross-town rivals, but said it was "in the hearts" of his team to get one up on them early in the season.
"We had an awesome pre-season so the boys are looking forward to putting that to use...last year's grand final is definitely in our hearts, and it will be awesome to play the Roos again," he said.
Kangaroos Tuggeranong import Josh Mitchell said he was looking forward to his first Queanbeyan derby with his new team.
He said in coming to Queanbeyan there was a great vibe for rugby league with former NRL players Simon Woolford and Aaron Gorrell coaching the Blues and Kangaroos respectively.
"You've also got Lincoln Withers [former Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders player] over at the Gungahlin Bulls and Michael Brophy over at the Bushrangers who used to be an NRL fringe player. I feel the competition is getting a lot bigger and a lot stronger," he said.
Mack said it was important for the Blues to win all games at home this year, and encouraged the people of Queanbeyan to support both sides in the fixture.
"Hopefully all of Queanbeyan comes out and watches high quality rugby league. I think rugby league in Queanbeyan is top notch with teams dominating the competition in the last couple of years," he said.