Canberra, ACT Ten years after leaving the top coaching position, former Canberra Raiders head coach David Furner has sent a deep and emotional farewell message to the team’s devoted fan base. Furner’s voice was full of passion as he conveyed his sincere appreciation for all of the help he got while leading the green machine.
“To the incredible fans of Raiders, thank you,” David Furner said in an earnest tone. “I want to sincerely thank you for welcoming my family and me during my time here, both as your coach and as a player. Through thick and thin, your dedication and commitment were genuinely exceptional.
After winning a premiership with the Raiders in 1994 and receiving the Clive Churchill Medal, Furner, a Raiders legend himself, returned to coach his cherished squad in 2009. There were both promising and difficult times during his five seasons as a Raiders coach till 2013. He led the team to finals appearances in 2010 and 2012 while managing 109 games with a 43% win record.
“Stepping into the coaching role at a club that meant so much to me, a club where I had so many cherished memories as a player, was an immense privilege,” Furner said. “I felt the burden of duty to perform for this club and this community every single day. The steadfast support from the stands made all the difference, even though it wasn’t always easy and there were undoubtedly difficult times.
During his tenure as coach, Furner oversaw the growth of important players and some noteworthy wins, such as the Raiders’ incredible comeback victory in 2013 over the eventual premiers, the Sydney Roosters, in which they overcame a sizable halftime deficit.
Furner has continued his coaching career since leaving the Raiders, holding assistant coaching positions with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Newcastle Knights, South Sydney Rabbitohs, North Queensland Cowboys (where he won a Premiership in 2015), and Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. He was also the Australian Kangaroos’ assistant coach. In April 2024, he most recently returned to the South Sydney Rabbitohs as an assistant coach.
Furner confirmed, “The Raiders will always hold a special place in my heart,” with a little crack in his voice. “It is a family, not simply a football team. I will always cherish the memories of the friendships I formed and the experiences we had together. With a stirring declaration of unwavering love for the team and its followers, he wrapped up his message. “At my core, I will always be a Raider, and I will continue to support them from a distance. Again, I want to thank you for everything. “Go Raiders!”
Furner’s heartfelt speech struck a deep chord with Raiders supporters, many of whom recall his commitment to and love for the team. His departure is a moving reminder of the unbreakable connection that exists between a coach, a club, and its devoted fan base.
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