We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
Famous for his lime-green formal suits, his generosity and sense of humour, former Canberra Milk boss Garry Sykes, one of the biggest sponsors of sport in the ACT, has died in Thailand aged 72.
As the former chief executive of Canberra Milk, Mr Sykes - or simply "Sykesy" to all his friends and business contacts - splashed the Canberra Milk logo across the Raiders' lime green jersey.
The Titans are facing a huge battle to retain David Fifita with the Raiders launching a $2.7 million poaching bid for the Queensland Origin wrecking ball.
And the Green Machine will tug at Fifita’s heartstrings to pull off the deal, also targeting his Jillaroos girlfriend Shaylee Bent for Canberra’s inaugural NRLW squad as part of a cleverly-constructed package deal.
News Corp can reveal Canberra bosses are ramping up their interest in Fifita, with the Raiders keen to fly the Titans back-rower to the nation’s capital for a tour of their headquarters and a meeting with coach Ricky Stuart.
It is understood the Raiders are armed with a multi-year offer and prepared to pay up to $900,000 a season to lure Fifita from the sunny Gold Coast to chilly Canberra.
The man who made Canberra Milk and sport a winning combination in the ACT, Garry Sykes, has died in Thailand at the age of 72.
Garry was a loveable rogue, generous as they come, loyal to a fault, and the life of the party.
That roguish streak usually came to the fore at Raiders’ presentation nights, when his lime green suit would come out of the closet.