SEPTEMBER 1997
The Gold Coast Chargers defied the odds with a 25-14 win over Illawarra Steelers in an elimination final of the Australian Rugby League’s Optus Cup competition played at Parramatta Stadium.
Written off at the start of the year after an unimpressive trials campaign, the Chargers scored five tries to three, with halfback, West Patten playing a role in four of those tries. It was a stunning turnaround after Illawarra had belted the Chargers 26-8 in Wollongong the previous weekend, in the last round of home and away fixtures.
Gold Coast led 14-4 at halftime, and then 20-8 with 10 minutes left, before Illawarra set up thrilling finish with a try by prop, Scott Cram. With three minutes to go, Patten kicked a field, and then fullback, John McKelleher scored a try, after a mistake by Steelers’ winger, Wayne Clifford.
Chargers’ fullback, Andrew King had his nose broken by Fijian winger, Fili Seru early in the second half, but there was no action taken by referee, David Manson.
The win was a triumph for Chargers’ boss, Phil Economidis, who was named the ARL Coach of the Year.
Saturday’s semi-final was an extra-time thriller, with Sydney City Roosters emerging 33-21 winners over North Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The score was 15-15 at the end of 80 minutes, with Roosters’ halfback, Adrian Lam kicking a field goal, one second before the end of regulation time. The Roosters scored three tries to nil in the first 10 minutes of 20 minutes of extra time. Norths led 13-0 at halftime and were unlucky not to lead by more, after winger, David Hall was held up in-goal.
Norths’ skipper, Jason Taylor kicked three field goals in the regulation 80 minutes. Not since South Sydney fullback, Eric Simms in the 1970 Grand Final against Manly, had a player kicked three field goals in a final.
Roosters’ fullback, Andrew Walker caused Norths’ all sorts of problems with his high, spiral kicks. Walker also scored two tries while centre, Ivan Cleary finished with 16 points from a try and six goals from seven shots.
I spent the weekend in Sydney covering the ARL Finals, and swore I would not watch the funeral of Lady Di on television that Saturday night. But, in the end I watched it, and at least, alone in my room, no-one could see the tears.
The next day I covered the Qualifying Final between Newcastle and Parramatta, back at the Sydney Football Stadium. Newcastle beat Parramatta 28-20, with winger, Adam MacDougall scoring two tries in a match which featured a long list of injuries, with Newcastle centre, Matt Gidley’s broken leg the worst. Newcastle halfback, Andrew Johns also was in doubt for the rest of the finals series because of a rib injury, resulting from a dubious, knees first, sliding tackle from Jason Smith.
The Knights were leading 22-20 with 11 minutes left when five eighth, Matthew Johns (Andrew’s older brother) put in a grubber kick. After an in-goal scramble referee, Paul McBlane consulted with touch judge, Steve Betts, before awarding a try to Newcastle centre, Brett Grogan. Grogan barely got a finger on the ball, but McBlane was satisfied he got downward pressure. The ARL did not use video replays for in-goal decisions.
On the Monday, I flew to Canberra for Super League’s Minor Semi-Final between Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers. I wrote that Super League was one step closer to its dream Grand Final – between Canberra and the Brisbane Broncos – after the Raiders accounted for Penrith 32-12, with Laurie Daley scoring a try and kicking six goals from eight shots for the home side.
Canberra’s win came despite the loss of goal kicking second rower, David Furner with a serious knee injury in just the second tackle of the match. The final score-line did not reflect the intensity of the contest, with Canberra leading only 16-12, with 12 minutes left.
“We didn’t deserve that score-line,” said Penrith coach, Royce Simmons. “We could have quite easily won the game.” Canberra were coached by Mal Meninga.
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