The nation’s capital has not felt such a buzz since the Green Machine’s heyday when the club delivered fans three premierships between 1989-94.

Speaking to Inside Sport at the Fox League channel launch last night, Austin said only the ultimate prize would suffice in 2017.       

“Last year was very exciting to get as close as we did but we want to win a premiership and we didn’t do that last year,” he said.

“We are going to have to find a little bit of improvement somewhere and we are working hard to do that.

“We’re a pretty young squad and are all at a similar stage in our careers.”

Canberra boast arguably the best backline in the NRL led by Austin and halfback Aiden Sezer.

The pair’s 2016 was interrupted by injury, but when they were on the field together, they combined beautifully.

And with another pre-season in the bank, Austin said he expected their partnership to take the side to new heights this year.

“To get those foundations in the pre-season this year has been really good because we missed them last year,” he said.

“We still got plenty of time together last year and we improved as the year went on.

“It is going to be better for not only me and Aiden but for the rest of the boys too.”