ALBURY Thunder coach Adrian Purtell says he still feels a strong attachment to Canberra Raiders despite leaving the NRL club a decade ago.
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Purtell, who scored 30 tries in 64 matches for the Green Machine, travelled to Canberra for last weekend's preliminary final win over Melbourne Storm and is confident Ricky Stuart's side can upset Sydney Roosters in Sunday's grand final.
"I went up there as a kid at 17 and spent seven or eight years at the club so the Raiders have been a big part of my life," Purtell said.
I went up there as a kid at 17 and spent seven or eight years at the club so the Raiders have been a big part of my life
- Adrian Purtell
"It has been really good in keeping former players connected.
"They have a reunion each year at a home game and are fantastic with those sort of things.
"Coming through the under-20s and reserve grade helps build a real mateship and it definitely feels like my home club outside of Albury."
Purtell played first grade for Canberra between 2006 and 2009 after coming through the junior ranks with the Raiders.
He played alongside captain Jarrod Croker in his final season at the Raiders before spending time with John Bateman and Elliott Whitehead at English club Bradford.
Purtell said the Raiders were lifted by the crowd support at Canberra Stadium last week with the former winger experiencing the Viking Clap for the first time.
"Of the 26,000 crowd, there would probably have been 25,000 Raider fans," he said.
"The atmosphere was electric.
"There were line-ups out the front of the ground at 5.30pm with the gates opening at 6pm.
"It was a mad atmosphere.
"You can tell the town has really got on board and I think the grand final will be the same with a lot of neutral supporters going for the Raiders."
Purtell, who enjoyed his best season in 2008 when he topped the Raiders' try-scoring list 15, rates the Raiders a good chance of defying their underdog status.
The Raiders are a $3 chance in the latest markets.
"I think they are a massive chance with all the emotion as everyone is on board the Green Machine," he said.
"They are turning up for each other defensively and I have no doubt they will be backing themselves in.
"I'm really confident they can get the result even though the Roosters have attacking power all over the field and are the most star-studded side in the NRL.
"It would be fantastic if they won."
