Mal Meninga tells Raiders to create their own mark in history
It is fitting that Canberra’s title-winning heroes of 30 years ago should be celebrated — but the greatest of them all has a message for this year’s grand final: “Never under estimate the Raiders”.
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Canberra legend Mal Meninga has told Raiders players to “go create your own history” and move on from the “old fellas” of 1989.
Meninga, who will blow the horn to kickstart Canberra’s Viking Clap in Sunday’s grand final, also warned: “Never under estimate the Raiders.”
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has consistently acknowledged and lauded the 1989 grand final winning side throughout the season — but the former payers don’t want to burden the current roster.
“It’s their time for them make their mark in Canberra’s history and rugby league’s history,”
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Meninga told The Daily Telegraph. “We really feel privileged and honoured that 1989 has been acknowledged but we’re old fellas now — it’s time for the new blokes to create their own history.
“That’s our message to the people — we did our duty a long, long time ago so it’s time for a new group to write their own stories.
“Our time was 30 years ago. This is a new breed of Raider now. I’ve had my time at the club, I still love the club dearly and still want to see them be really successful but we are followers now — we’re not entrenched in the club.
“From a footy point of view, but Ricky and his team, the club, they deserve all the recognition — not us old fellas. We just want to blend into the background and be supporters.
“It’s always nice to be acknowledged however, certainly from where I sit, I am really happy about the club and where it’s going. how strong it is and how well they are playing.
“That makes us feel pretty proud and, for us, from a supporter’s point of view, it gives us good bragging rights as well. I am really happy for Ricky, our mate.”
LISTEN! In the season finale, Matty Johns is joined by James Hooper and Paul Kent to go over this Sunday’s grand final, plus how the build-up to the NRL’s biggest weekend can weigh on the favoured team (and how the Roosters are counteracting it).
Many of the 1989 side will gather in Sydney to celebrate and support the current Canberra side in Sunday’s grand final.
And like 1989, Canberra will start heavy $3 underdogs.
“It’s 50-50, as is any game,” Meninga said. “Whilst the Raiders will be underdogs, there are some fantastic players there and you should never estimate them.
“A lot of things will happen on game day and I am pretty sure with Ricky’s experience — having played and coached in grand finals before — the team will be well prepared. They need to knuckle down and get the job done.
“It’s not about the peripheral stuff. It’s good to lap up the excitement of grand final week but there is still one more game to go.
“Their attitude and commitment to each other — which we have seen through their defensive qualities — gives all Raiders followers hope.”
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Many rate Canberra’s 1989 side — which included Meninga, Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Gary Belcher, John Ferguson, Bradley Clyde, Glenn Lazarus and Steve Walters — as one of the greatest club sides of all-time.
“No-one knew at that point what talent we had in our footy team, really. Some of those players that played 1989, Bradley, Ricky, Laurie Daley, Glenn Lazarus, Steve Walters, those players were starting to make their careers, Meninga said.
“No one really quite understood how good they were going to be. They are Hall of Famers.”
Originally published as Mal Meninga tells Raiders to create their own mark in history