When the Canberra Raiders won their first minor premiership in 1990, none of the current playing group were alive.

The oldest current player is Josh Papalii, who was born in 1992.

The Raiders clinched the JJ Giltinan Shield in front of a sold-out crowd of 23,746 fans at GIO Stadium on Saturday 29 August with a 24-10 victory over the Wests Tigers.

When asked if it blew his mind that none of the players were alive 35 years ago when the team’s first shield was secured, winger Jed Stuart said it was “pretty crazy”.

“My old man (current coach and former Raiders player Ricky Stuart) was a part of it, so that’s pretty cool and pretty special,” he told CD post-match.

Jed said it was awesome to hold the shield up in front of a sold-out home crowd.

“I’ve never experienced a crowd like that, especially here in Canberra, not playing (NSW) Cup or whatever (else). There aren’t many people that hang around (for Cup), so that was pretty awesome,” he told CD.

When asked by CD which player he’d seek advice from going into the finals, he said second rower Zac Hosking.

“I think I can learn a lot from Hosko,” Jed said.

“He always works off the ball and holds the same values I do as a player.

“I’m pretty close with him off the field as well.”

Jed said it had also not sunk in that the club had two home finals and the minor premiership locked in, let alone him playing out his childhood dream of a career in the career.

“It is definitely a pinch yourself moment,” he said.

For his teammate, prop Corey Horsburgh, who was part of the Raiders’ 2019 Grand Final side, getting the shield in front of a home crowd was a proud moment for the club.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been close since I’ve been here, so it’s nice to be a part of some history for the club,” he told CD.

“Hopefully we can make some more and bring the premiership back here too. So that’s our goal.”

Going from the wooden spoon favourites to minor premiers, Horsburgh said the team had shown how good they were from round one of the season.

“We put on some good performances and obviously had some blows along the way, but we bounced back every time and we’ve had a good year,” he told the media.

Coach Ricky Stuart said the team deserved the shield. He said credit should be given to the playing group for being consistent throughout the season and rising to the occasion every week.

“A compliment to those boys because it’s a big job,” he told media in the post-match press conference.

“It’s a long season. And they’ve done a wonderful job, mentally just having that edge each week, that’s what’s really helped them, and it’s been a wonderful experience for our younger players.

“Tonight will be a great experience for those young boys who have never achieved this.

“And they’re led by senior boys who are really leading and helping me as a coach because I hand it over to them, right? I trust them, led by (captain) Joe (Tapine) and I think today was a great reward.”

When asked by CD how it felt to get the shield in front of a home crowd, he said it was excellent. He said it was all for the fans.

“That’s what made me proud. Just for every one of those people who’ve been there, most of them all year,” Ricky said.

“We’ve had some wonderful crowds and in terrible weather.

“They’re the people, that’s who the shield’s for as well, those people that are out here when it’s three degrees to the big crowd today.

“That first part of the competition’s done now, and it’s in honour of those people.”

Tapine said the atmosphere of the crowd on Saturday was unreal.

“There were many people behind us, and we were in a dark place in the game,” he told the media at the post-match conference.

“Hearing that really pushes you to be better for them as well.

“I can’t wait to see what the finals bring. I know we’ll pack out the stadium but just keep doing what they do.”

In the post-match conference, the opposition’s coach, Benji Marshall, was full of praise for the Raiders.

And even Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese – who is a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan – congratulated the team on the accolade, via a post on X (formerly Twitter).

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