The role Canberra’s Catholic Monsignor, Father John Woods, played in Raiders’ famous extra time grand final win over Balmain

It’s a piece of rugby league history that has never been made public — until now. And it could prove a blessing for one of the NRL teams bound for Las Vegas.

This was the secret letter which gave Canberra players divine intervention and spiritual support ahead of the club’s epic 1989 grand final win.

The inspirational typed note was written by Canberra’s Catholic Monsignor, Father John Woods, who hand delivered it to Raiders captain Mal Meninga the night before the Sydney Football Stadium decider.

Now, 35 years later, Woods has offered his blessing to the current Raiders squad ahead of their trip to Sin City, where they will take part in the NRL’s second season-opening Las Vegas extravaganza.

Woods’ words in 1989 touched the players so much that Meninga invited the Raiders chaplain into their dressing room for a pre-grand final team talk.

Canberra Cathoilic Mosingor and Raiders fan John Woods, blessed his team in the 1989 grand final, and maybe even helped give them some divine intervention. Picture: Courtesy The Catholic Voice

Raiders players have privately spoken about the letter over the past 35 years but it never surfaced — until now.

Woods has been Canberra’s club priest and pastoral mentor since 1986 and became just the 10th life member in the club’s history during 2022.

“The grand final is a challenge for you to realise your God-given potential as footballers,” the letter reads. “Inside each of you is a dream. Dreams do come true. My prayer for you is that of St Paul: ‘May your hidden self grow strong.’

“I believe that you are ready for this challenge because you have all been willing to pay your dues thus far. Sunday’s game will be your most demanding payment.”

Canberra came from behind to clinch a famous 19-14 extra time win in arguably the greatest grand final of all-time.

Woods this week recalled writing and delivering the letter to Meninga.

“Mal used the letter as the basis of his team talk the night before the game,” Woods said. “Then in the change rooms, after they warmed-up, Mal asked me to say a few words, addressing the letter.

The 1989 letter from Father Woods to Mal Meninga.

“I was thrown a bit but I did it. I asked the players to close their eyes and look within at their true self and then open their eyes and look at the other guys, because you do it together. You call it mateship, I’d also call it the movement of the Holy Spirit.

“I remember Chrissy O’Sullivan (Canberra five-eighth) saying before the game that if we get behind, we’ll come back.”

Woods can be seen helping players and staff at the club’s headquarters once a week while also attending all home games.

Now 71, Woods started with Canberra nearly 40 years ago when he used to complete some fitness work with players at the club’s original base of Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan.

He has attended Canberra weddings, baptisms and funerals along with informal chats, team talks and private discussions about family or injuries. He is regarded as a trusted confidant.

“It’s about being a presence – they know who you are. I’m a Catholic priest but I’m there for everyone,” said Woods, a 2017 Canberra Viking ambassador and parish priest at Holy Trinity Church in Curtin.

“There are times when some of the islander boys like to have a prayer. During the season, I get in once a week to see the players, coaching, support and office staff. Ultimately, religion is about giving meaning, purpose and higher values to life.”

Woods has assisted Canberra greatest players and, while reluctant, he named a few close to his heart.

Canberra Raiders chaplain Father John Woods with Canberra players Mal Meninga, Dean Lance, Ricky Stuart and Glenn Lazarus at a training session at Seiffert Oval in 1989.

“Look, I could name a number of players. Mal obviously stands out. A guy who gave his all was Dean Lance. Two players who had passion were Ricky (Stuart) and Laurie (Daley). Glenn Lazarus was quiet but effective in bending the line. Bradley Clyde, talk about a motor. The Raiders in those days were a perfect storm.

“Ricky is very supportive. He asks no more than he would ask of himself and he’s very much a proud Canberra person.”

Woods had some sage advice when he offered his blessing to Canberra players before their historic venture to Las Vegas.

“Enjoy this opportunity, remember who you are and know that God goes with you,” he said. “I would ask God to be with them and that they play to their personal and communal best and remember who they are representing, with respect to their loved ones and the Canberra community.

“I pray for the Raiders as a group that they play to the best of their God-given ability. If they’re good enough, they win – and I hope they do – but sometimes the other crowd is better, and if they lose, they learn from it.

“Sport reveals and develops character and it also makes us aware of limitations and our need of others. I’m a minder, I suppose, of certain values and things that are dear and worth maintaining.”

Originally published as The role Canberra’s Catholic Monsignor, Father John Woods, played in Raiders’ famous extra time grand final win over Balmain