1999 NRL season

Rugby league competition 1999 National Rugby League March 5 – September 26, 1999 17 16x16px Melbourne 1st 16x16px Cronulla-Sutherland 2nd 213 8857 15,368 3,273,372 16x16px Matt Geyer (242) 16x16px Nathan Blacklock (24) Newcastle 16 Andrew Johns Dally M Medal 16x16px Western Suburbs Magpies 17th 1998 2000 The 1999 NRL season was the 92nd season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the second to be run by the National Rugby League. With the exclusion of the Adelaide Rams and Gold Coast Chargers, and the joint venture of the St. George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers, seventeen teams competed for the NRL Premiership during the 1999 season, which culminated in the first grand final to be played at Stadium Australia. The St. George Illawarra Dragons, the first joint-venture club to appear in the grand final, played against the Melbourne Storm, who won the premiership in only their second season. Season summary The 1999 National Rugby League season was historic for many reasons. The St. George Illawarra Dragons played their inaugural game after forming the League's first joint venture, losing 10–20 to the Parramatta Eels. That game was the second of a double header, which was the first event to be held at Sydney's Stadium Australia, the central venue for the Olympic Games the following year. That game attracted a rugby league world record of 104,583 spectators. During the season, the members of the Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs Magpies voted to form another joint venture, to be named the Wests Tigers. After the conclusion of the season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears were excluded from the premiership. The Bears would later form the game's third joint venture with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to form the Northern Eagles which later collapsed with the licence being revoked to Manly Warringah, whilst South Sydney would fight a successful two-year legal battle for reinclusion. In August the NRL's CEO Neil Whittaker announced that he would resign at the end of the season. NRL boss Neil Whittaker quits CNN Sports Illustrated Australia Reuters 1999-08-13 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/rugby/news/1999/08/13/nrl_boss_quits/ https://web.archive.org/web/20121025201629/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/rugby/news/1999/08/13/nrl_boss_quits/ dead October 25, 2012 2009-12-24 The defending premiers, Brisbane endured their worst ever start to a season, with just one win and a draw from their first ten games, however they would miraculously recover and record 11 wins in a row before hitting a few hurdles along the way, including a draw against Manly in round 24 and a loss against then-bogey team Parramatta at home in round 25. Their champion halfback and captain Allan Langer retired mid-season as a result. The Newcastle Knights also lost an iconic player when 1997 premiership captain Paul Harragon retired mid-season due to a chronic knee injury. The Melbourne Storm's premiership victory saw their captain Glenn Lazarus become the only player to ever win grand finals for three clubs. Cliff Lyons, making a comeback from retirement for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, was the oldest player in the NRL in 1999. Toohey Barry Still some bite in old Mad Dog The Daily Telegraph Australia News Limited 2 February 2011 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/still-some-bite-in-old-mad-dog/story-e6frfgbo-1225998290314 2 February 2011 Teams The exclusion of the Adelaide Rams and Gold Coast Chargers, and the joint venture of the St. George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers, saw a reduction in the League's teams from twenty to seventeen: the largest reduction in the number of teams in premiership history and the first reduction since the exclusion of Sydney's Newtown Jets at the end of the 1983 season. AucklandWarriors100px|center5th seasonGround: Ericsson StadiumCoach: Mark GrahamCaptain: Matthew Ridge → John SimonBalmainTigers100px|center92nd seasonGround: Leichhardt OvalCoach: Wayne PearceCaptain: Darren SenterBrisbaneBroncos100px|center12th seasonGround: ANZ StadiumCoach: Wayne BennettCaptain: Allan Langer → Kevin WaltersCanberraRaiders100px|center18th seasonGround: Bruce StadiumCoach: Mal MeningaCaptain: Laurie DaleyCanterburyBulldogs100px|center65th seasonGround: Stadium AustraliaCoach: Steve FolkesCaptain: Darren BrittManly-WarringahSea Eagles100px|center53rd seasonGround: Brookvale OvalCoach: Peter SharpCaptain: Geoff TooveyMelbourneStorm100px|center2nd seasonGround: Olympic Park StadiumCoach: Chris AndersonCaptain: Glenn LazarusNewcastleKnights100px|center12th seasonGround: Marathon StadiumCoach: Warren RyanCaptain: Paul Harragon → Tony ButterfieldNorth QueenslandCowboys100px|center5th seasonGround: Malanda StadiumCoach: Tim SheensCaptain: Noel GoldthorpeNorth SydneyBears100px|center92nd seasonGround: North Sydney OvalCoach: Peter Louis → Kieran DempseyCaptain: Jason TaylorParramattaEels100px|center53rd seasonGround: Parramatta StadiumCoach: Brian SmithCaptain: Jarrod McCracken &Nathan CaylessPenrithPanthers 33rd seasonGround: Penrith StadiumCoach: Royce SimmonsCaptain: Steve CarterSharks 33rd seasonGround: Shark ParkCoach: John LangCaptain: Andrew EttingshausenSouth SydneyRabbitohs 92nd seasonGround: Sydney Football StadiumCoach: Craig ColemanCaptain: Sean GarlickSt. George-IllawarraDragons 1st seasonGround: Kogarah Oval & WIN StadiumCoach: David Waite & Andrew FarrarCaptain: Paul McGregorSydney CityRoosters 92nd seasonGround: Sydney Football StadiumCoach: Phil GouldCaptain: Brad FittlerWestern SuburbsMagpies 92nd seasonGround: Campbelltown StadiumCoach: Tommy RaudonikisCaptain: Steve Georgallis Advertising In a move that polarised some fans, the NRL in its 1999 promotional campaign focused on the game's grass roots supporters who perhaps had been overlooked and pained in the trauma of the Super League war. Sydney advertising agency VCD, in the third year of their four-year tenure with the NRL, produced an advertisement featuring Thomas Keneally reading his poem, "Ode to Rugby League", which had been commissioned by the NRL. It speaks of the innocent excitement that begins each season. The ad was used at season launch and there was minimal media budget to support it throughout the year. Keneally is a longtime supporter of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. We go to the cupboard, we take out club colours. And the air sings. The season's close. Our boys are running up sandhills, their legs pump. This season, this season, this is our season. This year we all start equal. Kids paint signs, and I am seven again. I know I will see heroes soon. I feel the excitement. I have hope in March, and I might share in the glory of September. Blow that whistle, ref. Send that ball soaring. Blow that whistle, ref. 30px 30px Thomas Keneally Mahoney Blair Poetry Reloaded Cambridge University Press 2009 Australia 72 https://books.google.com/books?id=Qpt7nNPK8FUC 9780521746618 Ladder Finals series HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate and Time (local)VenueRefereeCrowd Qualifying Finals 16x16px Sydney City Roosters8–12 16x16px Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs3 September 1999, 7:30 pmSydney Football StadiumSean Hampstead23,478 16x16px Melbourne Storm10–34 16x16px St. George Illawarra Dragons4 September 1999, 2:30 pmOlympic ParkSteve Clark22,053 16x16px Parramatta Eels30–16 16x16px Newcastle Knights4 September 1999, 7:30 pmParramatta StadiumBill Harrigan15,653 16x16px Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks42–20 16x16px Brisbane Broncos5 September 1999, 2:30 pmShark ParkTim Mander13,713 Semi-finals 16x16px St. George Illawarra Dragons28–18 Sydney 16 Sydney City Roosters11 September 1999, 7:30 pmSydney Football StadiumBill Harrigan31,506 16x16px Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs22–24 16x16px Melbourne Storm12 September 1999, 2:30 pmSydney Football StadiumSteve Clark20,075 Preliminary Finals 16x16px Parramatta Eels16-18 16x16px Melbourne Storm18 September 1999, 7:30 pmSydney Football StadiumBill Harrigan27,555 16x16px Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks8–24 16x16px St. George Illawarra Dragons19 September 1999, 2:30 pmStadium AustraliaSteve Clark51,827 Grand Final 16x16px St. George Illawarra Dragons18-20 16x16px Melbourne Storm26 September 1999, 3:00 pmStadium AustraliaBill Harrigan107,999 Chart 16x16px Cronulla 42 16x16px Brisbane 20 16x16px Parramatta 30 16x16px Newcastle 16 16x16px Melbourne 10 16x16px St. George Illawarra 34 16x16px Sydney City 8 16x16px Canterbury 12 16x16px St. George Illawarra 28 16x16px Sydney City 18 16x16px Canterbury 22 16x16px Melbourne 24 16x16px Cronulla 8 16x16px St. George Illawarra 24 16x16px Parramatta 16 16x16px Melbourne 18 16x16px St. George Illawarra 18 16x16px Melbourne 20 Grand Final 1999 NRL Grand Final The 1999 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 1999 NRL season. It was contested by the competition's two newest clubs: the Melbourne Storm, competing in only its second year (having finished the regular season in 3rd place); and the St. George Illawarra Dragons, in their first year as a joint-venture club (having finished the regular season in 6th place), after both sides eliminated the rest of the top eight during the finals. A new rugby league world record crowd of 107,999 was at Stadium Australia for the game. The attendance, which saw 67,142 more people attend than had done so for the 1998 NRL Grand Final at the Sydney Football Stadium, broke the record attendance for a Grand Final, eclipsing the previous record of 78,065 set in 1965 when St. George defeated South Sydney 12–8 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It was the last time that the Clive Churchill Medal was presented in a case before it was changed the following season where it is presented separately with a ribbon being worn around the neck. Pre-match entertainment featured Hugh Jackman's rendition of the Australian national anthem. scoreboard Player statistics The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 24. Top 5 point scorers PointsPlayerTriesGoalsField Goals230Melbourne Matt Geyer18790229Penrith Ryan Girdler18773200Canterbury Daryl Halligan7860180Newcastle Andrew Johns7744174Canberra Luke Williamson6742 Top 5 try scorers TriesPlayer20St. George Nathan Blacklock19Melbourne Robbie Ross18Melbourne Matt Geyer18Penrith Ryan Girdler17Cronulla David Peachey17Cronulla Brett Howland17Canterbury Rod Silva Top 5 goal scorers GoalsPlayer86Canterbury Daryl Halligan79Melbourne Matt Geyer77Penrith Ryan Girdler74Newcastle Andrew Johns74Canberra Luke Williamson 1999 Transfers Players Player1998 Club1999 Club Graham Appo Adelaide Adelaide Rams Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Dave Boughton Adelaide Adelaide Rams Huddersfield Super League: Huddersfield Giants Alan Cann Adelaide Adelaide Rams Retirement Peter Clarke Adelaide Adelaide Rams South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Mark Corvo Adelaide Adelaide Rams Canberra Canberra Raiders Matt Daylight Adelaide Adelaide Rams Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Darrien Doherty Adelaide Adelaide Rams North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Brett Galea Adelaide Adelaide Rams Retirement Noel Goldthorpe Adelaide Adelaide Rams North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Andrew Hick Adelaide Adelaide Rams Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Tony Iro Adelaide Adelaide Rams South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Bruce Mamando Adelaide Adelaide Rams N/A Rod Maybon Adelaide Adelaide Rams Canberra Canberra Raiders Marty McKenzie Adelaide Adelaide Rams Retirement Andrew Pierce Adelaide Adelaide Rams Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Chris Quinn Adelaide Adelaide Rams Parramatta Parramatta Eels Dean Schifilliti Adelaide Adelaide Rams Parramatta Parramatta Eels Wayne Simonds Adelaide Adelaide Rams Featherstone Featherstone Rovers Kerrod Walters Adelaide Adelaide Rams Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Luke Williamson Adelaide Adelaide Rams Canberra Canberra Raiders Sean Hoppe Auckland Auckland Warriors St. Helens Super League: St. Helens Kevin Iro Auckland Auckland Warriors St. Helens Super League: St. Helens Stephen Kearney Auckland Auckland Warriors Melbourne Melbourne Storm Quentin Pongia Auckland Auckland Warriors Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Tea Ropati Auckland Auckland Warriors Retirement Tyran Smith Auckland Auckland Warriors Balmain Balmain Tigers Anthony Swann Auckland Auckland Warriors North Sydney North Sydney Bears Paul Sironen Balmain Balmain Tigers villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards (French Rugby League Championship) Michael Withers Balmain Balmain Tigers Bradford Super League: Bradford Bulls Darren Smith Brisbane Brisbane Broncos Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Bradley Clyde Canberra Canberra Raiders Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Brett Hetherington Canberra Canberra Raiders North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Luke Priddis Canberra Canberra Raiders Brisbane Brisbane Broncos Ricky Stuart Canberra Canberra Raiders Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Greg Fleming Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs London Super League: London Broncos Tony Grimaldi Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Solomon Haumono Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Balmain Balmain Tigers Robert Mears Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Auckland Auckland Warriors Paul Mellor Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Mitch Newton Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Retirement Matthew Ryan Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Robert Tocco Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Scott Wilson Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Warrington Super League: Warrington Wolves Geoff Bell Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Les Davidson Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Retirement Paul Green Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Craig Greenhill Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Penrith Penrith Panthers Danny Lee Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Nick Zisti Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Bradford Super League: Bradford Bulls Troy Campbell Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Retirement Scott Conley Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Newcastle Newcastle Knights Damian Driscoll Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tony Durheim Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Retirement Jamie Goddard Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers North Sydney North Sydney Bears Jason Hudson Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Retirement Andrew King Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Chris Lawler Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Retirement Graham Mackay Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Jason Nicol Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Clinton O'Brien Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Newcastle Newcastle Knights Steve Parsons Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers North Sydney North Sydney Bears Wes Patten Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Scott Sattler Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Penrith Penrith Panthers Craig Teevan Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Retirement Trent Barrett Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Darren Bradstreet Illawarra Illawarra Steelers London Super League: London Broncos Jonathan Britten Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Retirement Dean Callaway Illawarra Illawarra Steelers London Super League: London Broncos Scott Cram Illawarra Illawarra Steelers London Super League: London Broncos Craig Fitzgibbon Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Andrew Hart Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Terry Lamey Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Chris Leikvoll Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Brad Mackay Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Paul McGregor Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Andrew Purcell Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Hull FC Super League: Hull Sharks Brendon Reeves Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Will Robinson Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Craig Simon Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Craig Smith Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Shaun Timmins Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons David Walsh Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Retirement Craig Wilson Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Rod Wishart Illawarra Illawarra Steelers St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Craig Hancock Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Balmain Balmain Tigers John Carlaw Melbourne Melbourne Storm Balmain Balmain Tigers Brett Grogan Newcastle Newcastle Knights Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Lee Jackson Newcastle Newcastle Knights Leeds Super League: Leeds Rhinos Neil Piccinelli Newcastle Newcastle Knights Retirement Wayne Richards Newcastle Newcastle Knights South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Owen Cunningham North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Jason Death North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Auckland Auckland Warriors Andrew Dunemann North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Jason Ferris North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Dale Fritz North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Castleford Super League: Castleford Tigers Ian Roberts North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Retirement Dale Shearer North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Retirement Steve Walters North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Newcastle Newcastle Knights Greg Florimo North Sydney North Sydney Bears Wigan Super League: Wigan Warriors Paul Carige Parramatta Parramatta Eels Salford City Super League: Salford City Reds Ian Herron Parramatta Parramatta Eels Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Brett Horsnell Parramatta Parramatta Eels Retirement Aaron Raper Parramatta Parramatta Eels Castleford Super League: Castleford Tigers John Simon Parramatta Parramatta Eels Auckland Auckland Warriors Matthew Spence Parramatta Parramatta Eels Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Phil Adamson Penrith Penrith Panthers Manly Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Brett Boyd Penrith Penrith Panthers North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Darren Brown Penrith Penrith Panthers Salford City Super League: Salford City Reds Jody Gall Penrith Penrith Panthers North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Jason Williams Penrith Penrith Panthers Retirement Darren Burns South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters David Hall South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Retirement Terry Hermansson South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Auckland Auckland Warriors Matt Munro South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Retirement Michael Ostini South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Balmain Balmain Tigers Geordi Peats South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Retirement Troy Slattery South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Huddersfield Super League: Huddersfield Giants Jamie Ainscough St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Wayne Bartrim St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Nathan Blacklock St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Nathan Brown St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Adrian Brunker St. George St. George Dragons Wakefield Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Mark Coyne St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Luke Felsch St. George St. George Dragons Gateshead Super League: Gateshead Thunder Jeff Hardy St. George St. George Dragons Sheffield Super League: Sheffield Eagles Tony Hearn St. George St. George Dragons Retirement Jim Lenihan St. George St. George Dragons Huddersfield Super League: Huddersfield Giants Anthony Mundine St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Lee Murphy St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Corey Pearson St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Willie Poching St. George St. George Dragons Wakefield Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Matthew Rodwell St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Brad Smith St. George St. George Dragons Balmain Balmain Tigers Andrew Tangata-Toa St. George St. George Dragons Huddersfield Super League: Huddersfield Giants Lance Thompson St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Darren Treacy St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Daniel Wagon St. George St. George Dragons Parramatta Parramatta Eels Colin Ward St. George St. George Dragons St. George St. George Illawarra Dragons Nigel Gaffey Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Penrith Penrith Panthers Scott Gourley Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Retirement Jason Lowrie Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Balmain Balmain Tigers Damian Kennedy Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Canberra Canberra Raiders Aseri Laing Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Melbourne Melbourne Storm Paul Langmack Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Darren Willis Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Retirement Mark Carroll London Super League: London Broncos South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Luke Goodwin London Super League: London Broncos Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Damien Smith St. Helens Super League: St. Helens North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Matt Fuller Wakefield Wakefield Trinity Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Coaches Coach1998 Club1999 Club Mal Reilly Newcastle Newcastle Knights Huddersfield Super League: Huddersfield Giants References External links Rugby League Tables - Notes 1999 NRL season at Rugby League Tables Premiership History and Statistics RL1908 Interview NRL Marketing Director Mark Wallace Thomas Keneally poem