The 1999 Melbourne Storm season was the second in the club's history. Coached by Chris Anderson and captained by Glenn Lazarus, they competed in the National Rugby League's 1999 season, finishing the regular season in 3rd out of 17 teams. Melbourne reached the 1999 NRL Grand Final and defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons, claiming their first premiership.
Stability in playing talent and continued off-field support from Melbourne's core supporters, produced a continued improvement in 1999. Injury took away Scott Hill and Robbie Kearns for much of the season. Melbourne's fullback Robbie Ross, winger Matt Geyer and front-row forwards Rodney Howe and Glenn Lazarus were all selected to play for New South Wales in the 1999 State of Origin series.
In their final home game at Olympic Park, the Storm lost to the North Sydney Bears and having had a bye in the last round and they had no opportunity to lift their form before fronting the St. George Illawarra Dragons in their first final. The Storm ultimately lost this game to the Dragons by 34-10 and looked set for a repeat of the 1998 exit.
Despite lacking confidence,[1] Melbourne Storm outlasted the Canterbury Bulldogs by 24–22 to reach the preliminary final against Parramatta Eels. The Eels had let a place in the Grand Final slip out of their grasp in the same match in 1998, and were tipped to be much hungrier for a win than the Storm. Parramatta took a hold on the match, but the Storm did not relent and thanks to some last-ditch tackling stayed in the game. A late try to the Storm saw them win by 18-16 and secure a re-match against the Dragons for the title.
The Storm had lost twice to the Dragons already in 1999 and by the time Melbourne was behind by 0–14 at half time, it was more than apparent that St. George – Illawarra were going to take the premiership in their first ever season.[1] There was nothing in the Storm's performance to indicate that a comeback was possible.[1]
But Melbourne Storm recovered from their poor start with inspiring[1] efforts from Paul Marquet, Brett Kimmorley and Tawera Nikau. Into the final minutes of the game the Dragons led 18-14 but were forced to drop out from their own line. On the fifth tackle Kimmorley kicked high into the Dragons' corner. As the Storm's winger Craig Smith caught the ball over the try-line he was knocked unconscious in a head-high tackle by Jamie Ainscough and lost the ball.
Referee Bill Harrigan deferred to the video referee and the replay clearly showed that if not for the illegal tackle Smith would have scored a try. A penalty try was awarded giving the Storm's Matt Geyer a conversion from in front of the posts to take Melbourne Storm to a 20–18 lead and the title.[1]
The 1999MelbourneStormseason was the second in the club's history. Coached by Chris Anderson and captained by Glenn Lazarus, they competed in the National...
The MelbourneStorm is a rugby league club based in Melbourne, Victoria in Australia that participates in the National Rugby League (NRL). The first fully...
The 2024 MelbourneStormseason is the 27th in the club's history, competing in the 2024 NRL season. The team is coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the...
The 2019 MelbourneStormseason was the 22nd in the club's history, competing in the 2019 NRL season. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, who coached...
2005 MelbourneStormseason was the 8th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2005 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season 6th out...
The 2020 MelbourneStormseason was the 23rd in the club's history and they competed in the 2020 NRL season. The team was coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching...
The 2021 MelbourneStormseason was the 24th in the club's history competing in the 2021 NRL season. The team is coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching the...
first-grade NRL games for the MelbourneStorm. Notes: Debut: Players are listed in order of player cap number as shown on MelbourneStorm honour board. Appearances:...
The 1998 MelbourneStormseason was the first in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's inaugural Premiership and their first season was a major...
competition's two newest clubs: the MelbourneStorm, competing in only its second year (having finished the regular season in 3rd place); and the St. George...
The 2010 MelbourneStormseason was the 13th in the club's history and competed in the NRL's 2010 Telstra Premiership. After winning the first four games...
2009 MelbourneStormseason was the 12th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2009 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season 4th...
The 2017 MelbourneStormseason was the 20th in the club's history. They competed in the 2017 NRL season and at the end of the Regular season had finished...
The 2007 MelbourneStormseason was the 10th in the club's history. They competed for NRL's 2007 Telstra Premiership, finishing the season in 1st place...
This article contains records and statistics for the MelbourneStorm Rugby League Club who have played in the Australian National Rugby League competition...
The 2018 MelbourneStormseason was the 21st in the club's history. They competed in the 2018 NRL season and did so as the reigning Premiers and Minor...
The 2000 MelbourneStormseason was the third in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2000 Premiership and finished the regular season in sixth...
2008 MelbourneStormseason was the 11th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2008 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season as minor...
2003 MelbourneStormseason was the 6th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2003 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season 5th...
The 2016 MelbourneStormseason was the 19th in the club's history, they competed in the 2016 NRL season and were coached by Craig Bellamy, coaching for...
The 2011 MelbourneStormseason was the 14th in the club's history. They competed in the 2011 NRL season and finished the regular season in first place...
2002 MelbourneStormseason was the 5th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2002 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in 10th...
The 2014 MelbourneStormseason was the 17th in the club's history. They competed in the 2014 NRL season and were coached by Craig Bellamy and captained...
2004 MelbourneStormseason was the 7th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2004 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season 6th...
The 2015 MelbourneStormseason is the 18th in the club's history. They competed in the 2015 NRL season and were coached by Craig Bellamy, who was coach...
2001 MelbourneStormseason was the 4th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2001 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season in 9th...
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