Jody Lloyd says she has just one possession from her 20s.
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A near-pristine 1993 Canberra Raiders jumper she had signed then by Ricky Stuart.
Now as the club's coach, Stuart signed the jumper again during the Captain's run in Bega on Friday - 26 years after his last autograph.
She said Ricky was so taken aback by his previous signature and condition of the jumper, he almost wrote 1919 instead of 2019.
Ms Lloyd said it was a memento she would never part with after meeting the club icon as a part-time deli worker in Queanbeyan.
"I worked as a nurse at the Queanbeyan hospital, but for 12 months I used to work in a deli next door to the Queanbeyan RSL Club [the then Raiders base of operations]," Ms Lloyd said.
"Ricky and a number of players used to come in regularly for lunch and I was just friendly and chatted with them so we got to know one another," she said.
About 20 at the time and having moved to the city from Bemboka, Ms Lloyd said it was a bit of a culture shock to meet so many big names from the NRL at the time and it became a tipping point for her to support the Raiders.
"I was young and didn't know too much, they all used to come in for lunch like Mal Meninga, Steve Walters and Gary Belcher."
So she became a Raiders supporter and said the refreshed autograph on the weekend meant even more to her after the Canberra coach recognised her.
"She used to make the best sandwiches in Queanbeyan," he exclaimed while posing for a quick photo.
"It means a lot to get that second signature, I was just happy that Ricky remembered those deli days," Ms Lloyd said.
"It was more than 26-years ago, I didn't think he would remember."
Ms Lloyd said she has kept the jumper wrapped in tissue paper where it "barely ever sees the light of day" so it has kept its vibrant green over the years.
"I'll probably wait another 10 years and try get him to sign it again."
Ms Lloyd also nabbed a quick autograph from captain Jarrod Croker on Saturday.
"I'll keep this jumper for the rest of my life," she said. "The game was excellent, I really enjoyed it and was just in awe of being there watching the game."
Jacob McMaster
I am passionate about amplifying people's stories and trying to do them justice in the written word. I find pressure washing videos soothing. email me jacob.mcmaster@austcommunitymedia.com.au or 0406 212 845.
I am passionate about amplifying people's stories and trying to do them justice in the written word. I find pressure washing videos soothing. email me jacob.mcmaster@austcommunitymedia.com.au or 0406 212 845.
