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Raiders forward Emre Guler.

From shish kebabs to chicken rolls, here is the food that will fuel the Canberra Raiders for their charge towards a first premiership in 25 years on Sunday. 

The Green Machine have placed a special order to Watsup Brothers, the Turkish restaurant owned by young forward Emre Guler's parents Sahin and Derya in Sydney's south-west, as they prepare for the clash with the Roosters. 

Guler's parents own stores in Condell Park and Gregory Hills with the 21-year-old forward growing up around the shop and often seen helping out during his spare time.

The family has hosted several of Emre's sides over the past decade. 

The Raiders have made it a regular occurrence to stop in on away trips but will settle on the feast being delivered to them on Thursday following the side's training session.

"We love feeding the players when they are here and now especially leading into a grand final," Sahin told NRL.com. 

"The players are big on the charcoal grill ... they love the skewer sticks. Big Papa [Josh Papalii] probably eats the most so we'll make sure we give him some extra ingredients for this week … more protein.

"He's the key to our forward pack so we want him well fed and ready to go."

Guler and Raiders halfback Aidan Sezer are the only Turkish players to play in the NRL and on Sunday will become the first to play together in a grand final.

Canberra Raiders forward Emre Guler and family.
Canberra Raiders forward Emre Guler and family.

"We're very proud of Emre and the team," Sahin said.

"We thought he might get a game or two here and there but he's managed to make the side for the game and we're nervous but excited for him.

"We want to beat the Roosters. We will be there and can't wait."

Emre told NRL.com the players had embraced his family's business with the team often turning the restaurant into a post-game place to eat after western Sydney games. 

"I think we've won most of the games when we've got food from there," Emre said. 

"[My parents] really enjoy it and the boys love the food too so it's a win-win, my parents get to see me and catch up with all of the boys.

"My dad and my sister are going to be at the game and my mum is going to be overseas.

"Mum is pretty filthy [she can't be there], I had a chat with her during the year when she said she was going away about now, and I said, 'if we make the grand final you won't be here' and she was sort of upset.

Canberra Raiders tuck in at the Guler family restaurant.
Canberra Raiders tuck in at the Guler family restaurant.

"But I said to her that she doesn't have to wait around for me, she has to enjoy her life too because she's worked hard her whole life."

As for who is the biggest eater in his eyes? 

"Uncle Sia [Soliola]," Guler said. "Chicken and rice the most popular."

 

Tickets for the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2019 are now on sale to the general public.

Tickets are available through Ticketek and nrl.com/tickets.

Acknowledgement of Country

Canberra Raiders respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.