Everyone has a favorite rugby league team, but sadly very few people nominate the Gold Coast as theirs. In fact I’ve only ever met three such people. More about them later.
It’s a shame the Gold Coast aren’t more popular. They’ve had some of the game’s greatest players represent them over the years.
Some of the immortals who “retired” to the Gold Coast for the last few years of their career include Steve Jackson (iconic hero of the 1989 grand final), Chris ‘Choppy’ Close (iconic hero of the first State of Origin match) and the greatest player in the history of the game, Wally Lewis.
But for me one figure looms above others, the mighty Dave Taylor, a genuine legend of the game. For such a large man he was extremely mobile (for a short while early in his career). He is the only second rower in the history of the game to achieve the rare double of 15 tries and 15 chip-kicks in a season.
Dave Taylor is one of my all-time favorite players. I reckon he would have been a lot of fun to play backyard footy with. He never seemed to take the game too seriously, and watching David Fifita on a quiet day brings back wonderful memories of Taylor lurking out wide, confident in the knowledge the game would eventually drift his way.
I’ve only been to the Gold Coast once to watch the Titans play. I don’t recall seeing any statues outside the stadium and when I hear that people are pushing for Preston Campbell, I just hope Taylor’s claims don’t get overlooked.
The question is which Taylor pose should be immortalised? Some would suggest the classic hands-on-hips, but I’d go for the full-time finger in the air, as captured at the end of Origin 3 2012.
While we wait for his statue’s completion, I’d like to see the Gold Coast get more proactive and campaign for the return of the Wally Lewis statue.
Having this stand outside Suncorp Stadium is sending the wrong message, suggesting that the Gold Coast somehow isn’t the home of Queensland rugby league.
These days I’m a big fan of the Gold Coast, but our relationship didn’t get off to a great start. At the time their first coach Bob McCarthy did something to irritate me, and I was so annoyed I wrote a letter to Rugby League Week, which they were kind (foolish?) enough to publish.
This was in 1988 and sadly I’ve lost that edition. If anyone can locate my first ever piece of rugby league journalism and send me a copy, I’d be most grateful.
Speaking of RLW, back in 2012 they (Joel Gould) reported how Dave Taylor signing with the Gold Coast had them “daring to dream.” Legendary hardman and 1970 grand-final hero John Sattler was quoted as saying “I think Dave will be terrific for the Titans”. Sattler’s thoughts three years later are unfortunately not recorded.
Now back to my three friends who supported the Gold Coast. I was en route to the stadium, waiting at the mall for the free shuttle bus, when a car pulled up and offered me a lift to the footy. I hesitated but then thought, “if you can’t trust three long-haired youths in Titans jerseys, then who can you trust?”
After a few minutes driving they demanded $5 to cover petrol, a fee I was happy to pay for this chance to study local culture. It was quite an experience, especially when the car reverse-parked into an open drain.
I don’t remember who the Coast were playing, I just remember that they lost and the small crowd had very little to cheer about.
It’s hard to know exactly why they’ve had so little success over the years. I’m pretty certain though that constantly changing your name is not the best way to establish an identity.
The latest name Titans has never really appealed to me. I’d prefer something more Australian, something that evoked imagery of the Gold Coast, perhaps the Gold Coast Nuggets, or the Gold Coast Floaters.
As I’m sure you’ll recall from your studies of Greek mythology, the Titans were god-like creatures, fierce warriors, which could be a bit confusing for anyone watching the Gold Coast play for the first time. And of course Titan forms the unfortunate adjective “titanic”. This literally means like a Titan, echoing its meaning of “to sink without trace”.
Perhaps it’s time to celebrate the Greek heritage of the Gold Coast Titans. I suggest anyone who plays for the Titans be eligible for Greece at the next World Cup, and more importantly, vice versa.
Brian
Guest
Where's the culture manager? Hello?
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
I'd be very happy to see four Qld teams in the top four next year!
Bernie
Guest
i'd imagine there would be some Brissie fans not that fussed on the Broncs, so maybe a soft spot for the Titanics. what little support they have is probably going to be eroded by the Wayne's new team the Sea Horses.
Bernie
Guest
and it's a great retro look.
Bernie
Guest
i'm slow so it took me a minute, but that is very very good.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
Agree entirely. I'd love to see the Gold Coast succeed. There like a litttle brother you make fun of, but really want to see do well.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I think Neil Henry could have done well but after having Jarryd Hayne forced on him it all went west. Interference from the NRL and Titans owners.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I think Newtowns jersey is royal blue, but never the less ,I agree ,one of the best RL jerseys.
Justin
Guest
It could be worse. They could wear Pink.
Chris
Guest
Don’t Redcliffe juniors wear black , yellow, green & red ? Or pink ? Oh sorry , my mistake! :laughing:
Chris
Guest
Leilani Latu is another one. All of those players were successful, with their previous clubs . Just as David Fifita was one of the most sought after players in the competition, before signing with the Titans. You’d have to say that they’re all going to the Titans for a holiday. Except Cartwright, who had personal problems when he turned up there. So he went there to escape.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
As a Redcliffe junior I was never fond of Bashup Park Blue.
Rellum
Roar Guru
As some one who has a pathological dislike of sky-blue the Titans wearing it makes total sense. Their colours of sky blue, dark blue and yellow represent the Goldy and are perfect for the club and must remain going forward. No one ever questioned the North's Devils colours.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
I find Gold Coast colours a bit of an issue. Who had the bright idea of making a Qld team wear sky blue (and canary yellow)? It's been well documented that you can take the the best players in the country, put them in light blue jerseys and they will struggle. The old Newtown solid dark blue jersey with a white collar and white shorts is still my favourite rugby league strip. Must be almost time for the next rebrand. I'd go for Gold Coast Jets in that famous old navy blue uniform.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Titans are my number 3 club to support, soon to be number 4. They just need to improve the management of the club and how they sign players and there will be improvement.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
Alfie Langer?
ABW
Guest
Ah - the Gold Coast - where sporting franchises go to die... But I'd challenge you to name a better team mascot than Captain Charger. Dude was awesome.
Adam
Roar Guru
These poor players really do have a tough life on the strip!
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
For me the distraction up there is the bikinis.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Birdy. I won’t mind that, a ‘rolling’ five years notice. What you been doing don’t work. Have them explain, be accountable. Why? What are you going about it? ‘You said that at last notice’.