Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker knows it's foolhardy to compare a soldier willingly putting himself in the line of enemy fire to anything on a football field.
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But he said the team were inspired by their address from Victoria Cross recipient Daniel Keighran before Sunday's clash with South Sydney in Cairns.
Keighran was in 2012 awarded the highest military decoration for his heroism in his final deployment at Afghanistan two years earlier.
He repeatedly broke cover and risked his life to draw Taliban fire away from his colleagues and allow them to identify enemy targets.
His heroism gave his comrades more safety when trying to treat a fatally wounded soldier.
One of only four living Australians bestowed with the honour, Keighran told the Raiders of the importance of teamwork and not letting your mates down.
"It was awesome, it was something I'll never forget personally," Croker said.
"He told us about his story, the bravery and toughness he had to go through and the camaraderie in their group.
"You obviously can't replicate something so brave and tough on the footy field, but I guess it's very similar with the mateship and camaraderie, helping the mate beside you.
"If we have just a tiny little fraction of the bravery and toughness Dan showed, it will certainly help us out on the footy field Sunday.
"That's what we got out of it, working with your mate, doing the tough stuff for your mate and enjoying the tough times under difficult conditions.
"There'll be some pretty difficult times for us up here Sunday, I'm sure the boys will be able to use some of that and pull through."
Keighran told the Raiders website the same elements of trust in your colleagues that are compulsory as a soldier are applicable in team sport.
"I just spoke to the guys the importance of teamwork," he said.
"My circumstances of my last deployment to Afghanistan, working in a high risk environment with the guys to the right and left of you, like you have in a team, are the most important people in the world.
"When something happens they're the only blokes you can rely on, and I put my life into their hands.
"I told them [Raiders] about the importance of teamwork and working together - one team, one goal."
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, football manager John Bonasera and Croker all received an Anzac Centenary triangular silver coin, of which only 10,000 were minted, and Canberra's player's player against the Rabbitohs will also be awarded one.
"He explained to us his story from Afghanistan, which was nothing short of unbelievable and inspiring, to say the very least," Bonasera said.
"We were in awe of what he did, it far extends anything the players are confronted with.
"But it was certainly an inspirational story, and I know the boys were privileged to be in the same room."
