It wasn't the opponent they'd asked for, but the Canberra Raiders will host an NRL Anzac Round game for the first time in seven years.
The Green Machine had set their sights on bringing the North Queensland Cowboys to Canberra Stadium to establish an Anzac rivalry with their fellow military city.
Both Canberra and Townsville have long been home to the armed forces, with the capital the base for the Royal Military College at Duntroon.