1999 Melbourne Storm season

Last updated

1999 Melbourne Storm season
NRL Rank3rd
Play-off resultPremiers
1999 recordWins: 16; draws: 0; losses: 8
Points scoredFor: 639; against: 392
Team information
Executive Director John Ribot
Coach Chris Anderson
Captain
Stadium Olympic Park Stadium
Avg. attendance12,902
High attendance16,473 (Round 9)
Top scorers
Tries Matt Geyer (20), Robbie Ross (20)
Goals Matt Geyer (81)
Points Matt Geyer (242)
  1998 List of seasons 2000  

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.

Contents

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]

Season Summary

Milestone games

RoundPlayerMilestone
Round 1 Stephen Kearney Storm debut
Scott Hill 50th game
Round 5 Marcus Bai 50th game
Round 7 Brett Kimmorley 50th game
Round 10 Richard Swain 50th game
Round 11 Aseri Laing Storm debut
Round 13 Tasesa Lavea NRL debut
Round 15 Tawera Nikau 100th game
Round 16 Brad Watts NRL debut
Round 18 Brett O'Farrell NRL debut
Round 22 Robbie Kearns 150th game
Round 23 Russell Bawden 50th game
Round 24Melbourne Storm50th game
Round 25 Glenn Lazarus 250th game
Grand Final Danny Williams 100th game

Jerseys

1999 home jersey Melbourne Jersey 1999.png
1999 home jersey

During the 1998 season, Melbourne struck an apparel sponsorship agreement with Fila to manufacture and merchandise a range of club apparel. The home jersey was redesigned, maintaining the same colours as the 1998 version, but with white thunderbolts in a purple chevron. The gold trim and collars remained, and Honda continued with their sleeve advertisement.

A striking gold jersey was also designed as the club's clash colours; with that jersey worn in rounds 10, 15 and 23.

Fixtures

Pre season

DateRdOpponentVenueResultMel.Opp.TriesGoalsField goalsRef
12 FebruaryTrial Auckland colours.svg Auckland Warriors Lang Park, Brisbane Lost1416C Smith, R Ross, S HillC Smith 1/3 [5] [6]
20 FebruaryTrial Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders Lavington Sports Ground, Albury Won2418S Kearney (2), C Smith, M Bai, S HillC Smith, B Kimmorley [7] [8]

Regular season

Result by round

Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
GroundHAAHHAAHHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHA
ResultWLWWLWLWWWWBLLLWWLWWWWWWLB
Position37436554443334654766543243
Points224668810121416181818182022222426283032343436
Source: Rugby League Tables
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateRdOpponentVenueResultMel.Opp.TriesGoalsField goalsRef
5 March1 Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2020 colours.svg Penrith Panthers Olympic Park, Melbourne Won3210R Bawden, M Geyer, A Moule, R Ross, R SwainM Geyer 6/9 [9]
13 March2 Balmain colours.svg Balmain Tigers Leichhardt Oval, Sydney Lost616P BellM Geyer 1/3 [10]
21 March3 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos ANZ Stadium, Brisbane Won486R Ross (2), P Bell, W Evans, S Hill, B Kimmorley, T Martin, T NikauM Geyer 8/9 [11]
26 March4 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Olympic Park, Melbourne Won2617M Bai (2), S Hill, R Kearns, B KimmorleyM Geyer 3/6 [12]
4 April5 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost1620S Hill, P Marquet, B RoartyM Geyer 2/3 [13]
9 April6 Auckland colours.svg Auckland Warriors Ericsson Stadium, Auckland Won3810M Bai (2), P Bell (2), M Geyer (2), R Kearns, B RoartyM Geyer 2/7, B Kimmorley 1/1 [14]
17 April7 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels Parramatta Stadium, Sydney Lost1426M Bai, M Geyer, S HillM Geyer 1/3 [15]
24 April8 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs Olympic Park, Melbourne Won5216M Bai (2), M Geyer (2), R Bawden, B Kimmorley, T Martin, B Roarty, R RossM Geyer 8/10 [16]
2 May9 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos Olympic Park, Melbourne Won2818R Ross (2), S Hill, M Rua, D WilliamsM Geyer 4/6 [17]
8 May10 Western Suburbs colours.svg Western Suburbs Magpies Lathlain Park, Perth Won626M Geyer (4), R Ross (3), R Bawden, B Kimmorley, T Martin, A MouleM Geyer 9/13 [18]
15 May11 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Olympic Park, Melbourne Won286R Ross (2), M Geyer, T Nikau, R SwainM Geyer 4/5 [19]
21 May12 Bye
28 May13 St. George colours.svg St George Illawarra Dragons Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost1628R Ross (2), M GeyerM Geyer 2/3 [20]
4 June14 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders Bruce Stadium, Canberra Lost626A LaingB Kimmorley 1/2 [21]
12 June15 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights Marathon Stadium, Newcastle Lost2627M Geyer (2), M Bai, T Martin, T NikauM Geyer 3/5 [22]
18 June16 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney City Roosters Olympic Park, Melbourne Won268S Kearney, T Martin, A Moule, T Nikau, M RuaB Kimmorley 3/6 [23]
27 June17 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Brookvale Oval, Sydney Won1918B Kimmorley (2), B RoartyM Geyer 3/5B Kimmorley [24]
2 July18 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels Olympic Park, Melbourne Lost620R RossM Geyer 1/1 [25]
10 July19 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Stadium Australia, Sydney Won2024A Moule (2), M Bai, M Geyer, B WattsM Geyer 2/6 [26]
16 July20 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders Olympic Park, Melbourne Won3010B Watts (2), M Bai, T Martin, R RossM Geyer 5/7 [27]
25 July21 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Shark Park, Sydney Won2618S Kearney (2), B Anderson, M Geyer, R RossM Geyer 3/5 [28]
1 August22 Auckland colours.svg Auckland Warriors Olympic Park, Melbourne Won1614M Geyer, P Marquet, A MouleM Geyer 2/3 [29]
7 August23 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Won3024M Bai, R Bawden, P Bell, B Kimmorley, R Ross, M RuaM Geyer 3/7 [30]
15 August24 Western Suburbs colours.svg Western Suburbs Magpies Olympic Park, Melbourne Won4414M Rua (2), R Howe, B Kimmorley, G Lazarus, T Martin, R Ross, B WattsM Geyer 5/7, G Lazarus 1/1 [31]
22 August25 North Sydney colours.svg North Sydney Bears North Sydney Oval, Sydney Lost2024R Bawden, M Geyer, A Moule, R RossM Geyer 2/5 [32]
28 August26 Bye

Source: [33]

Finals

Qualifying final
Saturday, 4 September
14:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Melbourne Storm Melbourne colours.svg 10 – 34 St. George colours.svg St. George Illawarra Dragons
Tries:2
Moule Ru ball.svg 20'
Kearney Ru ball.svg 48'
Goals:1
Geyer Rugby penalty.svg 48'(1/3)
1st: 4–10
2nd: 6–24
Report
Tries:6
Blacklock Ru ball.svg 63', 70', 78'
McGregor Ru ball.svg 15'
Wishart Ru ball.svg 27'
Ainscough Ru ball.svg 43'
Goals:5
Bartrim Rugby penalty.svg 15', 43', 70', 78'(4/4)
Mackay Rugby penalty.svg 63'(1/2)
Olympic Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 15,653
Referee: Bill Harrigan

Semi final
Sunday, 12 September
14:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Melbourne Storm Melbourne colours.svg 24 – 22 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury Bulldogs
Tries:4
Geyer Ru ball.svg 29', 69'
Bai Ru ball.svg 3'
Ross Ru ball.svg 13'
Goals:4
Smith Rugby penalty.svg 14', 30', pen 39', 70'(4/5)
1st: 18–12
2nd: 6–10
Report
Tries:4
Silva Ru ball.svg 7'
El Masri Ru ball.svg 24'
S Hughes Ru ball.svg 55'
Sherwin Ru ball.svg 61'
Goals:3
Halligan Rugby penalty.svg 8', 24', 62'(3/4)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 20,075
Referee: Steve Clark

Preliminary final
Saturday, 18 September
19:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Parramatta Eels Parramatta colours.svg 16 – 18 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm
Tries:2
Wagon Ru ball.svg 10'
Kelly Ru ball.svg 37'
Goals:4
Schifcofske Rugby penalty.svg pen 7', 11', pen 32', 38'(4/5)
1st: 16–6
2nd: 0–12
Report
Tries:3
Kimmorley Ru ball.svg 22'
Moule Ru ball.svg 55'
Swain Ru ball.svg 63'
Goals:3
Smith Rugby penalty.svg 23', 56', 64'(3/3)
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 27,555
Referee: Bill Harrigan

1999 NRL Grand Final
Sunday, 26 September
15:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Melbourne Storm Melbourne colours.svg 20–18 St. George colours.svg St. George-Illawarra Dragons
Tries:3
Martin Ru ball.svg 53'
Roarty Ru ball.svg 57'
Smith Ru ball.svg (penalty) 75'
Goals:4
Smith Rugby penalty.svg pen 42', 59', pen 64'(3/4)
Geyer Rugby penalty.svg 77'(1/1)
1st: 0–14
2nd: 20–4
Report [4]
Tries:3
Fitzgibbon Ru ball.svg 13'
Blacklock Ru ball.svg 29'
McGregor Ru ball.svg 56'
Goals:3
Bartrim Rugby penalty.svg 15', 31'(2/3)
Fitzgibbon Rugby penalty.svg pen 23'(1/1)
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 107,999 [34]
Referee: Bill Harrigan
Touch judges: Colin White, John McCormack
Clive Churchill Medal: Brett Kimmorley (Melbourne)

Ladder

PosTeamPldWDLBPFPAPDPts
1 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2418062586332+25440
2 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels 2417072500294+20638
3 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm (P)2416082639392+24736
4 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney City Roosters 2416082592377+21536
5 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2415182520462+5835
6 St. George colours.svg St. George Illawarra Dragons 2415092588416+17234
7 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights 2414192575484+9133
8 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos 2413292510368+14232
9 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders 24131102618439+17931
10 Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2020 colours.svg Penrith Panthers 24111122492428+6427
11 Auckland colours.svg Auckland Warriors 24100142538498+4024
12 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs 24100142349556-20724
13 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 2491142454623-16923
14 North Sydney colours.svg North Sydney Bears 2480162490642-15220
15 Balmain colours.svg Balmain Tigers 2480162345636-29120
16 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys 2441192398588-19013
17 Western Suburbs colours.svg Western Suburbs Magpies 2430212285944-65910

1999 Coaching Staff

1999 squad

List current as of 27 July 2021 [35]

Cap [a] Nat.Player namePositionFirst Storm GamePrevious First Grade RL club [b]
1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robbie Ross FB 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hunter Mariners
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Craig Smith WG 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs [c]
3 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Aaron Moule WG, CE 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg South Queensland Crushers
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Bell CE 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Perth Reds
5 Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Marcus Bai WG 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gold Coast Chargers
6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Scott Hill FE 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hunter Mariners
7 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brett Kimmorley HB 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hunter Mariners
8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Rodney Howe PR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Perth Reds
9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Danny Williams LK, SR, HK 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg North Sydney Bears
10 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Robbie Kearns PR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Perth Reds
11 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Marquet PR, SR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hunter Mariners
12 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ben Roarty PR, SR, LK 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
13 Flag of New Zealand.svg Tawera Nikau LK 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Cronulla Sharks
14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Glenn Lazarus PR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brisbane Broncos
15 Flag of New Zealand.svg Richard Swain HK 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hunter Mariners
16 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Russell Bawden PR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brisbane Broncos
18 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt Geyer WG 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Perth Reds
19 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Evans SR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Perth Reds
20 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ben Anderson FE 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
21 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tony Martin WG, CE 1998 Flag of England.svg London Broncos
23 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wade Fenton SR, PR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
24 Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg John Wilshere CE 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Perth Reds
25 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Daniel Frame PR, SR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
26 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Rua PR, SR 1998 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
28 Flag of New Zealand.svg Stephen Kearney SR 1999 Flag of New Zealand.svg Auckland Warriors
29 Flag of Fiji.svg Aseri Laing WG 1999 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Western Suburbs Magpies
30 Flag of New Zealand.svg Tasesa Lavea FE 1999 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
31 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brad Watts FB 1999 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
32 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brett O'Farrell PR 1999 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm
Flag of New Zealand.svg Paul Rauhihi PR Yet to debut Flag of Australia (converted).svg Melbourne Storm [d]

Player movements

1999 Premiership Team

Melbourne Storm
1999 Premiership TeamInterchangeCoach

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


Representative honours

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 1999.

Player 1999 ANZAC Test State of Origin 1 State of Origin 2 State of Origin 3 1999 Tri-Nations
Matt Geyer New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales
Rodney Howe New South WalesNew South WalesNew South WalesAustralia
Glenn Lazarus AustraliaNew South Wales
Stephen Kearney New Zealand
Robbie Kearns AustraliaAustralia
Brett Kimmorley Australia
Robbie Ross New South WalesNew South WalesNew South WalesAustralia
Matt Rua New Zealand
Richard Swain New Zealand

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 1999 NRL season.

Name Appearances Tries Goals Field goals Points
Ben Anderson 131004
Marcus Bai 28120048
Russell Bawden 2750020
Paul Bell 1450020
Wayne Evans 121004
Matt Geyer 2620810242
Scott Hill 1250020
Rodney Howe 171004
Stephen Kearney 2240016
Robbie Kearns 132008
Brett Kimmorley 2895147
Aseri Laing 51004
Tasesa Lavea 10000
Glenn Lazarus 261106
Paul Marquet 282008
Tony Martin 2580032
Aaron Moule 2590036
Tawera Nikau 2640016
Brett O'Farrell 10000
Ben Roarty 2250020
Robbie Ross 25200080
Matt Rua 2650020
Craig Smith 3110024
Richard Swain 2830012
Brad Watts 940016
Danny Williams 141004
26 players used129971711

Scorers

Most points in a game: 34 points [e]

Most tries in a game: 4 [e]

Winning games

Highest score in a winning game: 62 points

Lowest score in a winning game: 16 points

Greatest winning margin: 54 points

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 6

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 26 points

Lowest score in a losing game: 6 points

Greatest losing margin: 24 points

Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 3

Feeder team

Melbourne Storm reserve players again travelled to Brisbane each week to play with Queensland Cup team Norths Devils. Backing up the successful 1998 season by finishing second on the ladder, Norths Devils fell one game short of the 1999 Queensland Cup Grand Final, losing to eventual runners-up Redcliffe Dolphins in the Preliminary Final. Kevin Carmichael won his second straight player of the year award.

1999 Queensland Cup
PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
2 Norths Devils colours.svg Norths Devils 221705791393+39834

Awards and honours

Trophy Cabinet

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

Additional Awards

Notes

  1. Players are listed with the cap number as they appear on the Melbourne Storm honour board. Additional squad members do not have a cap number.
  2. This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted.
  3. Reserve grade 1997, previous first grade experience with North Sydney Bears in 1994
  4. 1 2 Released mid-season
  5. 1 2 New club record

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References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Melbourne Storm 2000 Info Guide. Melbourne Storm. pp. 107–110.
  3. Paxinos, Stathi (6 March 1999). "Storm crushes Penrith 32-10 first-up". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria. p. 20 (sport).
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Middleton, David (2000). Rugby League 2000. Sydney: Harper Sports. ISBN   0732265576.
  5. "1999 NRL Season Menu". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
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