He gets embarrassed by his status at St Helens. Reason: we hadn’t won much for a while, he came in and made us believe again, he made the players believe again. And we won 2 trophies that year. 1 against Wigan. He brought thousands through the gates. Thanks Mal.
Canberra born and bred. Remember when the raiders started, out at Seiffert Oval in Qbn. It was brutal for the first couple of years. The only name I remember was O’Sullivan, and I only knew him because I was at school with is brother. Then Meninga turned up, with Belcher, Daly, Ferguson, Ricky Stuart, Bellamy, Lazarus, Bradley Clyde, and many others. As a hometown team you could support on a Sunday, and see the doing their shopping on a Monday, they were great. I seem to remember that Mal could be seen everywhere, and he was always willing to chat to anybody, little kids to old folks in wheel chairs. My own most vivid memory of Mal and his arm guard was in a game against the Steelers in Wollongong. With one arm he fended off a defender, while with the other he sold the biggest dummy ever. It not only split the defence, but a couple of raiders team mates also collided because they were also fooled. I also remember the commentary team going silent because they had both been sucked in as well. Meninga had all the skills, all the rugby league smarts, the aggression, and the leadership. Never saw anyone in the same class.
Mal Meninga was a great player, inspirational captain, coach and a gentle giant of the game. It’s also fitting to know that he is now the 13th Immortal of the game. Thanks for your video, I enjoyed it. Mal is currently the Australian Rugby League Coach, which he thoroughly deserves.
I too am a Brit, but I would not say my favourite player of all time. However, I remember his reputation preceding him before he came to have a stint at St Helens. Those days we didn't have the ready internet access to, well, virtually everything. In my mind's eye I had this image of a colossal brute of a man who was nothing but a "wrecking ball". However, when I saw him in the UK. (and I saw him play several times), my overriding observation of him was " What an absolutely terrific footballer he was ; grace and class personified!"
Not a Raiders or QLD fan by any means but there’s no denying Mal was a legend in the game. He was in 5 Grand Finals in 9 seasons ! Not to mention his AUS & QLD Wins !
I'm a rugby union man, from Ireland but the best Rugby Player I've ever seen, and I stress 'Rugby', either Union or League was Wally Lewis and Mal is not far behind at all.
If only Meninga switched to Union and possibly meet his greatest rival "Jonah Lomu", would've been some Bledisloe clash since Wallabies were good in those days. Mal: 6'2, 107kg vs Lomu: 6'5, 120kg
Disliked him in a Queenslander and Kangaroos jersey but when he wore the Canberra Jersey ... He was the Champion , sorry but I'm a NSW, Kiwis and a Raiders fan..🤣🤣
He gets embarrassed by his status at St Helens. Reason: we hadn’t won much for a while, he came in and made us believe again, he made the players believe again. And we won 2 trophies that year. 1 against Wigan. He brought thousands through the gates. Thanks Mal.
U legend Mal got a framed jersey yr signature and all yr history on brass plaques,am a raiders fan from 82 luv ya bro.
Was at Old Trafford when Australia won in the last seconds, what a sickener !!!! But have to to give it to big Mal, what a player!!!!
Wow mate. I’d give my left testicle to be able to go back in time and buy a ticket in the very corner!
Unbelievable career, he’s easily one of my favourite athletes of all time
Canberra born and bred. Remember when the raiders started, out at Seiffert Oval in Qbn. It was brutal for the first couple of years. The only name I remember was O’Sullivan, and I only knew him because I was at school with is brother. Then Meninga turned up, with Belcher, Daly, Ferguson, Ricky Stuart, Bellamy, Lazarus, Bradley Clyde, and many others. As a hometown team you could support on a Sunday, and see the doing their shopping on a Monday, they were great. I seem to remember that Mal could be seen everywhere, and he was always willing to chat to anybody, little kids to old folks in wheel chairs. My own most vivid memory of Mal and his arm guard was in a game against the Steelers in Wollongong. With one arm he fended off a defender, while with the other he sold the biggest dummy ever. It not only split the defence, but a couple of raiders team mates also collided because they were also fooled. I also remember the commentary team going silent because they had both been sucked in as well. Meninga had all the skills, all the rugby league smarts, the aggression, and the leadership. Never saw anyone in the same class.
Excellent words
. Thankyou for sharing
One of the greatest players ever to game
Mal has to be an immortal. He along with Steve Rogers and Brett Kenny. These guys are the most talked about players of the 80’s to this day!
You payed at the gate just to see those blokes play.
Mal Meninga was a great player, inspirational captain, coach and a gentle giant of the game. It’s also fitting to know that he is now the 13th Immortal of the game. Thanks for your video, I enjoyed it. Mal is currently the Australian Rugby League Coach, which he thoroughly deserves.
When you had to turn to a player to make a difference, Mal Maninga was the man. As a Brit my favourite player of all time.
I too am a Brit, but I would not say my favourite player of all time. However, I remember his reputation preceding him before he came to have a stint at St Helens. Those days we didn't have the ready internet access to, well, virtually everything. In my mind's eye I had this image of a colossal brute of a man who was nothing but a "wrecking ball". However, when I saw him in the UK. (and I saw him play several times), my overriding observation of him was " What an absolutely terrific footballer he was ; grace and class personified!"
Pair.of wankers
A real live ozzie bloke !! What a MAN. Loved by all. All those players of that era are heroes to millions of us !!
My hero, best of the best
Australian the coolest people in the world !!!
Thank you for a biography worthy of this league phenomenon. Terrific.
Yep as a kiwi I loved watching this man play, brilliant.....
The greatest Rugby player of All time
Meninga is the original superstar of rugby league
He, Lewis and Kenny! 👍
Rugby Leagues Muhammad Ali
Nicely put! 👍
Not a Raiders or QLD fan by any means but there’s no denying Mal was a legend in the game. He was in 5 Grand Finals in 9 seasons ! Not to mention his AUS & QLD Wins !
I'm a rugby union man, from Ireland but the best Rugby Player I've ever seen, and I stress 'Rugby', either Union or League was Wally Lewis and Mal is not far behind at all.
He was good, especially with Clyde, Stuart, Daily, Belcher and a few others. Without Wayne Bennet none of them would have made it.
What a great career from a sporting legend.
Watched him on TV in 79 AMCO Cup Brisbane Iand think St George and he was fantastic..18 or 19yrs old
I ❤ Mal Meninga 🇦🇺💙! Peter from 🇨🇭
Iam this Documentary was made on such a great man.
9:56 Love how Napper runs straight to Mal's aid even though the ball is in play
I was at that 89 GF and what a game what a player Big Mal one of kind
Lucky bastard. I was at the Broncs and Cowboys GF but would swap places with you if a genie gave me a couple of wishes!
my favourite Aussie player.
I was at a match and some wits in crowd were yelling " Smell me finger" whenever Mal got the ball!
If only Meninga switched to Union and possibly meet his greatest rival "Jonah Lomu", would've been some Bledisloe clash since Wallabies were good in those days.
Mal: 6'2, 107kg vs Lomu: 6'5, 120kg
No way great however only 1 king who cuts through a backline like a Stradbroke island shark king Wally
Very rarely got the better of Brett Kenny in State of Origin....
He had glue on all his fingers!
Ricky Stuart’s face after he threw the interception,,, death warmed up ,,,, glad he found happiness later
Credit:@SportLegendChannel
A legend the MAN 👌👍
My favourite wat a super player all class
Mal Meninga for Prime Minister!
My Mum sat next to him on a plane once when I was 12, I was so excited when she told me and I didn't even see him lol.
I always paddle behind William.
Very very i say unto you.
Mutton Bird.
A proud Qlder, great player, fantastic coach and not too mention the biggest thigh's anyone could dream of
Everyone loves Mal.
The greatest knick-name ever!
Still Lang Park Wally.
Got that warrior blood in him malaita solomon islands
The greatest
Smell ya finga
Disliked him in a Queenslander and Kangaroos jersey but when he wore the Canberra Jersey ... He was the Champion , sorry but I'm a NSW, Kiwis and a Raiders fan..🤣🤣
How can you play a game with a cast on😅
"QUEENSLANDER"
I think at one time the Aussie national team was made up of about 80% Canberra raiders players.
SIMPLY THE BEST !!!
Loving POM ❤️