From 1989 to 1994, the Canberra Raiders dominated the NSWRL, winning three premierships. While the Raiders haven’t won anything in first grade since, the Green Machine legacy survives in the coach’s box.
Mal Meninga’s appointment as Australian coach makes him the fourth Raider to lead the Kangaroos and sixth to coach at rep level. After coaching the Raiders from 1997 to 2001, Meninga led Queensland to eight consecutive Origin wins and nine from 10 overall.
Don Furner AUS 1986–1988
Don Furner was the Raiders’ inaugural coach. He was instrumental from dragging Canberra from their only wooden spoon in 1982 to their first grand final in 1987. Furner coached Australia during the ‘Unbeatables’ 1986 Ashes tour, winning all 10 tour games, five Tests (three Ashes Tests and two against France) and a warm-up game against PNG.
In 1988, he coached the Kangaroos in their 2-1 Ashes win in Australia. Don’s son David (a Raider from 1992-2000) coached Canberra from 2009-2013.
Tim Sheens – NSW 1991; AUS 2009–2015
Taking over from Furner, Sheens lead Canberra to their three premierships (1989, 1990, 1994). In 1991 he coached NSW to a 2-1 Origin series loss. After leaving Canberra in 1996, Sheens coached North Queensland (1997-2001) and the Wests Tigers (2003-2012).
The Tigers beat the Cowboys in the 2005 grand final, giving Sheens his fourth NSWRL/NRL premiership. Sheens accepted the Australian role in 2009 after Ricky Stuart was sacked. Under Sheens, Australia won 26 of 31 games, including the 2013 World Cup. Sheens is currently the Director of Rugby League at the Salford Red Devils.
Ricky Stuart – NSW 2005, 2011-2012; AUS 2006–2008
A vital part of Canberra’s premiership run as a player, Stuart’s coaching record hasn’t been as successful. Stuart won a premiership with the Sydney Roosters in 2002 and Origin with NSW in 2005. He resumed the NSW role in 2011/12, with Queensland winning both series’ 2-1.
Stuart started coaching Australia in 2006 and won the tri-nations that year (even though he was booed by a parochial Suncorp Stadium crowd). The role ended controversially after the 2008 World Cup loss to New Zealand. He was sacked after abusing referee Ashley Klein in the hotel following the game.
After controversial coaching stints with Cronulla and Parramatta, Stuart rejoined Canberra in 2014. The Raiders finished in the bottom four that year, but had a vastly improved 2015, floating in and around the eight most of the season before finishing 10th.
Craig Bellamy – NSW 2008-2010
Known for his brilliant coaching record at the Melbourne Storm, it’s easy to forget Bellamy was a foundation Raiders player, with 148 games from 1982 to 1992, including the 1990 premiership, he also coached the Raiders President’s Cup team to a premiership in 1995.
Over an incredible 328 games from 2003, Bellamy made the Storm premiership heavyweights, then helped rebuild after the salary cap scandal in 2010. The Storm has made the finals every year since Bellamy started (excluding 2010, when they were ineligible), despite constant criticism of their ‘boring’ style of football. Bellamy couldn’t translate strong domestic form to Origin. It didn’t help that he coached against a powerful Queensland team from 2008 to 2010, winning just two games.
Laurie Daley – NSW 2013-2015
Daley was the first NSW coach to break Queensland’s eight series streak, finally breaking through in 2014 and beating former teammate Meninga. NSW won the first two games 12-8 and 6-4 and lost the dead rubber 32-8.
Replacing former Raiders teammate Stuart, Daley was one of the first stand-alone NSW coaches, which had worked well for Meninga and Queensland. Daley played 244 games for the Raiders, including the 1989, 1990 and 1994 premierships.
AJL.
Roar Pro
It looks likely that another former Raider in Kevin Walters will be the next Qld coach as well. Obviously Kevvie is best known for his stellar Broncos career, but he got his start at the Raiders.
Johnno
Guest
David Furner was assistant coach of Kangaroos recently to and at 2013 world cup. Bellamy was part of Green Machine 89 GF from the bench, maybe he didn't start or get any game time, but was part of the scene as was Ashley Gilbert. 2004 Dogs is still for mine the best side last 30 years. Raiders 94 side no 2, 96 Manly no 3. Remember Broncos 92 win, one can only wonder if Penrith didn't lose Ben Alexander to tragic death that really lost there focus for 92, but they had a class side. And 93 Raiders were leading comp, when Ricky Stuart broke down in last round of season when he was best player that year, then Raider's collapsed in the finals. So Broncos 2 title wins, may of come off some good luck with 2 main rivals both being cut down. What if Broncos lost Alf in 92 or 92. Could of, what if, this that, plan B etc, but Broncos won but they didn't have as much adversity as a full strength side those years.
Johnno
Guest
Belcher was the silent hero of 89-90 the glue, damn he was good.
millsy of perth
Guest
Did someone say ''Canberra got caught'' cheating the salary cap in 91 and didn't get caught the other years? lol ;-)
Elton
Guest
The Raiders had salary cap dramas which affected their 92 season and the Panthers had the Ben Alexander saga which wrecked their year. Broncos were obviously an amazing team all over the park but i don't think it was the strongest top 5 that year.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
The Raiders are not going to relive these past successes until this 'legacy' has passed through the club. New blood and new thinking is needed to make the Raiders successful again and to get anywhere near a premiership.
Klee Gluckman
Guest
The Raiders though did make 5 grand finals in 8 seasons. Had Ricky Stuart not been injured in 93 it may have been 6 in 8 seasons, they were only one game of it in 88 as well. They were as good as any club side I have seen in 1989-1990 and 1994 gee there were great to watch the way Stuart and Daley used the full Width of the field. The attacking strucures were so much more exciting back then. Interesting comment about Mullins as good as he was he only featured in the 1994 Grand Final. Meninga and Walters played In them all. I do unfortunately do believe that the 1992 Broncos as much as I don't like them were the more dominant team, no one even looked capable of beating that team in 1992, the finals were a one horse race.
Paul D
Roar Guru
My favourite player from that Canberra side will always remain Brett Mullins. What a weapon he was, just pure excitement and pace. The combination and understanding he had with Ricky Stuart was the equal of Cronk and Slater.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
They were a great team in that period. To say they dominated is probably a little over the top. In that 6 years they won 3 premierships, Brisbane won 2 and Penrith won 1. It's a shame we never got to see Canberra and Brisbane meet in a Grand Final back then. It's also a little hard to just pick one random 6 year period that suits as opposed to a decade. Totally agree with the legacy left from that team though. That is undoubted.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I wouldn't be selling Daley in regards to anything coaching. Coached Country and NSW a total of 14 times for 6 wins. Also oversaw the worst lost in NSW history
Chui
Guest
And a cameo from Wayne Bennett in '87
Elton
Guest
Michael Maguire played at the Raiders also, however don't think that was between 89-94.
bear54
The Raiders only broke the salary cap in 1991.
pat malone
Guest
Tim Sheens has been living off the back of those Canberra days. i could have coached australia to that world cup. his coaching record for the next 20 years only had one decent season many people forget that the raiders broke the salary cap back then