Weekend flashback: When the Gold Coast Chargers made the 1997 ARL finals against Illawarra

AS the Gold Coast Titans face their do-or-die push for a finals berth tonight, take a look back at the Gold Coast Chargers’ lone Finals appearance.

September 5, 1997 — Illawarra vs. Gold Coast Chargers at Parramatta Stadium. Chargers centre (C) Jason Nichol celebrates scoring a try last night. Teammates Jeremy Schloss (13), Jamie Goddard (9) and Darren Anderson (R) share the delight. Pic: Nick Wilson

THE Gold Coast Titans will run onto the field today with the weight of the world on their shoulders as they prepare for 80 minutes that will make or break their year.

A coveted spot in the finals, which would be their first since 2010, all hinges on tonight’s round 25 clash against the Penrith Panther.

Gold Coast footy fans will no doubt feel anxious and they’ve got every reason to — We’ve had just three finals appearances in the past 20 years.

Flashback to September 1997, when Elton John’s Candle in the Wind was at the top of the charts, The Castle was a box office sensation and the Super League war was tearing rugby league apart.

But with 10 teams, including the powerhouse Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders and Canterbury Bulldogs away in their own competition, the Gold Coast Chargers had their best-ever year.

By 1997, early big names Wally Lewis and Ron Gibbs were long gone, and the team former known as the Seagulls had already been shuttered once in 1995 after being bought out and briefly renamed the Gold Coast Gladiators.

But things began well with a surprise victory in the opening round over the Western Magpies and a strong run through the middle weeks of the season.

But by the end of the regular season, the Chargers had racked up 10 wins and a draw to make their first finals appearance.

The team, led by veteran player Graham Mackay, were the underdogs coming into the clash with the Illawarra Steelers who were on a hot streak after a 2-6 demolition of the Gold Coast the previous week in round 22.

Their finals berth came only after the South Queensland Crushers unexpectedly knocked out the Magpies in their final ever game to clear a path for the Gold Coast.

Head coach Phil Economidis looked for inspiration from the Bible to inspire his for what was previewed in the media as a potential comeback “of biblical proportions”.

“Last time it was David and Goliath, this time it’s Lazarus,” he told players the day before the game.

The game was played at Parramatta Stadium on a warm Friday, September 5, 1997 and was a fairytale affair as the underdogs brought the sock and awe early.

Multiple tries, including a notable “freakish” effort from Wes Patten secured the Chargers a 20-8 lead at the 70th minute.

Mackay, the Chargers captain, even scored a try and conversion to bring the team to 14-4 at halftime.

The Gold Coasters ultimately won the game 25-14.

Hype around their stunning victory built up but a grand final was not to be — they were knocked out of the series in week two 32-10 to the Sydney City Roosters.

The Chargers ultimately folded in 1998.