Gold Coast Titans Head of Performance and Culture Mal Meninga has added another honour to his incredible rugby league resume with his inclusion in the Canberra Raiders’ Hall of Fame.
A three-time premiership-winning captain and former coach of the Raiders, Meninga was one of 14 inaugural inductees honoured when the Hall of Fame was launched at Canberra’s season launch on Friday.
On the 30th anniversary of the Raiders’ first premiership, 13 players from that 1989 grand final team and their coach Tim Sheens were inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
Meninga and Sheens were joined by Gary Belcher, John Ferguson, Laurie Daley, Chris O’Sullivan, Ricky Stuart, Brad Clyde, Dean Lance, Ashley Gilbert, Gary Coyne, Brent Todd, Steve Walters and Glenn Lazarus as inductees.
Todd, the former New Zealand Test prop, is another Raiders Hall of Famer with a Gold Coast connection – he played two seasons with the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1992-93.
Meninga, who was named rugby league’s 13th Immortal last year, said he was honoured by the recognition from his former club.
“It was a terrific night, and very special to be a part of,” he said.
“I am with the Titans now, but obviously I have a very long history with – and a deep affection for – the Raiders, and the guys that I played alongside down there for many years.
“It was terrific to see a club like Canberra honour their history in the way that they did.
“It is something we are looking to replicate here at the Titans – acknowledging our history and the history of the game in our region to build future success with the support of our community.
“We are still building that story here, and working towards the day we can celebrate our own premiership success here on the Gold Coast.”
Big Mal will go up against his former club for the first time as a Titan on Sunday 17 March when the Gold Coast host the Raiders in the NRL season opener at Cbus Super Stadium. Click here to get your tickets now.
