Melbourne Storm - NRL 1999

1999 - Stormy Days For Premiership

MELBOURNE STORM 20
d. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 18
Referee: Bill Harrigan. Crowd: 107,558 at Sydney Olympic Stadium.

Throughout the 1999 season much of the game's focus was in the boardrooms as the NRL confirmed that the 2000 season would feature only 14 teams. For the first time, many clubs and fans entered the season not knowing if this would be their team's last. By season's end some fans were surprised and delighted at their inclusion for 2000, for others exclusion came as an ever growing reality or in some cases life-shattering shock.

The NRL adopted a top 8 semi-finals series and again not every team played each other twice during the regular season. In such a critical season for the clubs involved, the lowly performances of the ARL backed Sydney clubs Souths, Manly, Norths, Balmain and Wests would prove fatal as they finished at the bottom of the table.

The Sharks (who had dropped their "Cronulla" name) finished as minor premiers ahead of Parramatta, Melbourne, Sydney City, Canterbury, St.George-Illawarra, Newcastle and Brisbane. In the preliminary finals both the Sharks and Parramatta looked to be in control of their games and headed for the Grand Final. But the Sharks let a 8-0 lead slip and lost to the Dragons, while the Eels (for the 2nd year in a row) blew a match winning margin to fall to the Melbourne Storm. For the NRL it was a dream result - success had come to both the game's first joint venture team and the fledgling side from the Aussie Rules heartland. The Grand Final proved to be one of the most competitive ever.

With a sparkling first half performance from Nathan Blacklock and Anthony Mundine the St. George - Illawarra Dragons took a 14-0 lead into the break. The fairytale of a maiden title in their first year seemed to be coming true. But Melbourne recovered from their poor start by inspiring efforts from 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 Dragon's corner. As the Storm's winger Craig Smith caught the ball over the try-line he was knocked unconscious in a seemingly 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 to a 20-18 lead and the title.

The onfield drama quickly gave way to the impending announcement of the 14 teams for the 2000 competition. Balmain and Wests had already negotiated the game's second joint venture - the Wests Tigers. The North Sydney Bears seemed to be heading to the Central Coast and security until they encountered dire financial difficulties. While Manly were apparently clear of the threat of exclusion the club continued to ponder over their long-term ability to compete at the top. Manly and Norths then joined together to form the Northern Eagles, which left 15 teams vying for the 14 positions. Souths and Penrith both stood firm and knocked back opportunities to merge with other teams, but they looked to be the most vulnerable.

On October 15, 1999 the NRL announced that the pride of the game of rugby league in Australia since 1908 - the South Sydney Rabbitohs - would not be invited to participate in the 2000 competition.

GRAND FINAL: September 26, Sydney - Stadium Australia (107,558)
Melbourne 20 defeated St George-Illawarra 18
Melbourne: R.Ross, C.Smith, A.Moule, T.Martin, M.Bai, M.Geyer, B.Kimmorley, G.Lazarus (c), R.Swain, R.Howe, P.Marquet, S.Kearney, T.Nikau. Interchange: M.Rua, R.Bawden, D.Williams, B.Roarty.