BREAKING NEWS: Canberra raiders Legend Mal Meninga Returns as Chief football officer (CFO) In a monumental announcement, Canberra raiders Owner Canberra District Rugby League Football Club Ltd family has officially declared that Mal Meninga the legendary left-handed and long-time face of the franchise, will return to the organization in 2025 as the chief hockey Officer Vs..……. view more

In a monumental move that has electrified the rugby league community, the Canberra Raiders have announced that legendary club icon **Mal Meninga** will return to the Green Machine in 2025 — this time, off the field — as the club’s new **Chief Football Officer (CFO)**.

The announcement was made official this morning by the **Canberra District Rugby League Football Club Ltd**, the ownership body behind the Raiders, sending waves of excitement through fans and the broader NRL landscape.

Meninga, long celebrated as the powerful left-centre who defined an era of Raiders dominance in the late 1980s and early ’90s, now re-joins the club in a key executive leadership role. The appointment marks a full-circle moment for the rugby league legend — from player and captain to administrator and mentor.

> “Mal is not just a legend of the game — he *is* the Canberra Raiders,” said Club Chairman [Insert Name]. “Bringing him back to help shape the future of our football operations is a massive coup for the organisation.”

Meninga’s career with the Raiders began in 1986, when he joined the fledgling club after a storied run with the Souths Magpies in Brisbane. Over the next decade, he would etch his name into NRL folklore, leading Canberra to **three premierships (1989, 1990, 1994)** and earning a reputation as one of the most influential players in rugby league history.

His post-playing career has been just as decorated, having coached Queensland to eight consecutive State of Origin series wins and serving as head coach of the Australian Kangaroos since 2016. His leadership, strategic mind, and unmatched understanding of player development and culture are expected to make an immediate impact at the Raiders.

### What Meninga Brings as CFO

As **Chief Football Officer**, Meninga will oversee all football operations at the club — from player recruitment and high-performance to pathways development and coaching structures. With the Raiders looking to bounce back from a string of inconsistent seasons, his return is being seen as both a cultural reset and a rallying point.

> “It’s an honour to come home,” said Meninga at the press conference. “Canberra has always been a part of who I am. I’m excited to help guide the next generation and build something the city and the club can be proud of.”

While some reports had speculated that Meninga might remain focused solely on his national coaching role, it has been confirmed that he will step away from international duties at the end of the 2025 Kangaroos tour to fully commit to his role with Canberra.

Supporters have taken to social media in droves to celebrate the news, with #MeningaReturns and #GreenMachine2025 trending nationwide. Former players, coaches, and commentators have hailed the decision as one of the most significant off-field appointments in recent Raiders history.

Meninga is set to officially begin his duties in **December 2025**, in time for the Raiders’ 2026 preseason. With his trademark leadership and passion for the green jersey, expectations are already soaring for a Raiders resurgence.