RUGBY LEAGUE: If they win against Goulburn on Sunday the Blues will be crowned back-to-back premiers after an extra time victory in the 2014 grand final, but coach Simon Woolford insists last year is history and the focus is purely on lifting the Canberra Raiders Cup again.
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"Back-to-back sounds nice and it would be nice, but it's not a motivator," Woolford said.
"We're just worried about winning the 2015 title, the fact that it would be back-to-back is an added bonus."
The former Raiders 200-gamer said the squad's victory over West Belconnen was short lived and it was straight into game review and preparing for the big day.
The Blues added another training session to their week to ensure they can finish the job with the Bulldogs this week and remove any chance of them coming back like in the preliminary final.
"It's not just another game, it's the grand final- our opposition are going to lift and we have to too," Woolford said.
"[Goulburn] forwards could do a number on our forwards, we need to make sure we work on our contested footy, field positioning, put pressure on the footy."
The Blues senior group have played a more contributing role this year and Woolford said he likes to change things up occasionally, but added he will "stick to what's worked" this weekend.
"We have to play possession footy, score some points and limit their opportunities- start well and keep the foot on the pedal, if we don't they could work their way out of it again," he said.
"We're not going to go in thinking we can't win, but we're up against quality opposition and we need to play well for 80 minutes."
NRL experience from captain Marc Herbert and forward Trevor Thurling will be play a role in the Blues hopes of another premiership, as well as old heads Mike Cullen, Scott Rutland and McInnes to lead the way.
Woolford's nephew, James, played in the Melbourne's Storm's under-20 premiership in 2009 and the coach described his experience as "invaluable".
But it will be code hoppers Tom Ruediger and Tyler Stevens who Woolford said he expects big efforts from.
"It's not just [Ruediger's] speed, he's smart and tough- he's got the complete package really," he said.
"He was good last year, but he's hit another level this year. We were lucky enough to poach him back from union and he's grown in confidence.
"[Stevens] has also found some form, so I'll expect him to step up."
Queanbeyan were lucky enough to retain a lot of premiership players, but Woolford said players like Adam Misos and Mike Cullen who missed out last year will be keen to lift the silverware.
"I'd like to win one for those guys this year," he said.
