1998 NRL season

Rugby league competition 1998 National Rugby League NRL_Logo_1998.png March 13 – September 27, 1998 20 Brisbane Broncos 16 Brisbane 4th Brisbane Broncos 16 Brisbane 3rd 253 10,131 11,612 2,937,741 Sydney Roosters 16 Ivan Cleary (284) Brisbane Broncos 16 Darren Smith (23) Newcastle 16 Andrew Johns Dally M Medal 16x16px Western Suburbs Magpies 16th 1997 (ARL)1997 (SL) 1999 The 1998 NRL season was the 91st season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the inaugural season of the newly formed National Rugby League (NRL). After the 1997 season, in which the Australian Rugby League and Super League organisations ran separate competitions parallel to each other, they joined to create a reunited competition in the NRL. The first professional rugby league club to be based in Victoria, the Melbourne Storm was introduced into the League, and with the closure of the Hunter Mariners, Western Reds/Perth Reds and South Queensland Crushers, twenty teams competed for the premiership, which culminated in the 1998 NRL Grand Final between Brisbane and Canterbury-Bankstown. It was also the final season for the Illawarra Steelers and the St. George Dragons as their own clubs prior to their merger into the St. George-Illawarra Dragons for the 1999 NRL season Pre-season History of the National Rugby League The National Rugby League was formed after an agreement was reached between the two rivaling competitions from 1997, the Australian Rugby League and the Super League. In December 1997, the two parties formed a joint board to run the new Australian rugby league club competition. The vast majority of the 22 clubs that contested in 1997 across the split competitions also contested the first season of the National Rugby League, with the exception of the Hunter Mariners, the Western Reds and South Queensland. The National Rugby League imposed a $3M salary cap on each of the clubs.Toby Miller Geoffrey A. Lawrence Jim McKay Globalization and sport: playing the world SAGE 2001 82 https://books.google.com/books?id=dlijetL53Q0C 9780761959694 Advertising Super League's ad agency VCD in Sydney successfully kept the account post-reunification. The 1998 ad featured the song "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba with its theme of rising against adversity: I get knocked down! But I get up again; you're never gonna keep me down. There was no visual performance of the song in the ad which returned to the standard rugby league imagery of big hits and crunching tackles to accompany the track. Teams The closure of the Hunter Mariners, Western/Perth Reds and South Queensland Crushers, and the introduction of the Melbourne Storm meant that a total of twenty clubs contested the 1998 Premiership. Eleven of these clubs were from Sydney, but an agreement between the Australian Rugby League and Super League meant that many of these clubs were in danger of being cut from the competition by the 2000 season when, it was decided, only 14 clubs would be invited to contest the premiership. Adelaide Rams100px|center 2nd & final seasonGround: Adelaide Oval → Hindmarsh Stadium Coach: Rod Reddy → Dean LanceCaptain: Kerrod WaltersAuckland Warriors100px|center 4th seasonGround: Ericsson Stadium Coach: Frank EndacottCaptain: Matthew RidgeBalmain Tigers100px|center 91st seasonGround: Leichhardt Oval Coach: Wayne PearceCaptain: Darren SenterBrisbane Broncos100px|center 11th seasonGround: ANZ Stadium Coach: Wayne BennettCaptain: Allan LangerCanberra Raiders100px|center 17th seasonGround: Bruce Stadium Coach: Mal MeningaCaptain: Laurie DaleyCanterbury Bulldogs100px|center 64th seasonGround: Belmore Oval Coach: Steve FolkesCaptain: Simon Gillies→Darren BrittCronulla Sharks100px|center 32nd seasonGround: Shark Park Coach: John LangCaptain: Andrew EttingshausenGold Coast Chargers100px|center 11th & final seasonGround: Carrara Stadium Coach: Phil EconomidisCaptain: Jamie GoddardIllawarra Steelers100px|center 17th & final seasonGround: WIN Stadium Coach: Andrew FarrarCaptain: Paul McGregorManly Sea Eagles100px|center 52nd seasonGround: Brookvale Oval Coach: Bob FultonCaptain: Geoff TooveyMelbourne Storm100px|center 1st seasonGround: Olympic Park Stadium Coach: Chris AndersonCaptain: Glenn LazarusNewcastle Knights100px|center 11th seasonGround: Marathon Stadium Coach: Mal ReillyCaptain: Paul HarragonNorth Qld. Cowboys100px|center 4th seasonGround: Stockland Stadium Coach: Tim SheensCaptain: Ian Roberts & John LomaxNorth Sydney Bears100px|center 91st seasonGround: North Sydney Oval Coach: Peter LouisCaptain: Jason TaylorParramatta Eels100px|center 52nd seasonGround: Parramatta Stadium Coach: Brian SmithCaptain: Dean PayPenrith Panthers100px|center 32nd seasonGround: Penrith Stadium Coach: Royce SimmonsCaptain: Steve CarterSouth Sydney Rabbitohs100px|center 91st seasonGround: Sydney Football Stadium Coach: Steve Martin → Craig ColemanCaptain: Sean GarlickSt. George Dragons100px|center 78th & final seasonGround: Kogarah Oval Coach: David WaiteCaptain: Mark CoyneSydney City Roosters(East. Suburbs Roostes)100px|center 91st seasonGround: Sydney Football Stadium Coach: Phil GouldCaptain: Brad FittlerWest. Suburbs Magpies100px|center 91st seasonGround: Campbelltown Stadium Coach: Tommy RaudonikisCaptain: Paul Langmack NRL 800 center Locations of the participating clubs NRL -34.915556 138.596111 white 80 Adelaide NRL -36.918333 174.8125 white 80 Auckland bottom NRL -33.868611 151.154722 white 80 Balmain left NRL -27.558333 153.062222 white 80 Brisbane NRL -35.25 149.102778 white 80 0.6em Canberra right NRL -33.916667 151.094722 white 80 Canterbury NRL -34.038611 151.140833 white 80 Cronulla NRL -28.006389 153.367222 white 80 Gold Coast right NRL -34.427778 150.9025 white 80 0.3em Illawarra Steelers right NRL -33.76 151.273333 white 80 Manly right NRL -37.824722 144.981111 white 80 Melbourne NRL -32.918889 151.726667 white 80 Newcastle right NRL -19.316111 146.711944 white 80 N. Queensland NRL -33.831944 151.209444 white 80 N. Sydney NRL -33.808056 150.999722 white 80 Parramatta NRL -33.758611 150.687778 white 80 Penrith NRL -33.889167 151.225278 white 80 Sydney City(E. Suburbs) NRL -33.889167 151.225278 white 80 S. Sydney left NRL -33.971944 151.129167 white 80 St. George NRL -34.050278 150.833611 white 80 W. Suburbs Regular season Rounds 5 and 7: Brisbane Broncos set a new record for their biggest win, firstly 58–4 against North Queensland Cowboys, then 60–6 against North Sydney Bears, both games being played at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre. Round 8: 1997 ARL premiers, the Newcastle Knights played the 1997 Super League premiers, the Brisbane Broncos and Brisbane won 26–6 in Newcastle before a crowd of 27,119, cementing their position at the top of the ladder. Round 12: The record for the biggest comeback in premiership history was re-set by the North Queensland Cowboys who trailed 26–0 at half-time and came back to beat the Penrith Panthers 36–28. Round 24: Ivan Cleary's tally of 284 points set a new individual record for most points scored in a season in Australian club rugby league history; it has since been beaten. Ladder Finals series The biggest surprise of the season was when the Melbourne Storm finished 3rd after the regular season in their first ever year, only to be knocked out by the Brisbane Broncos in the Semi-final. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs became the lowest placed team ever to make the Grand Final, after finishing 9th after the regular season. Canterbury-Bankstown did it tough though, coming from 16 points down twice in as many weeks. They came from 16–0 down to win 28–16 against the Newcastle Knights in the Semi-final, then 18–2 down with 11 minutes to go to make it 18–18 after regulation time, then going on to win 32–20 in extra time against arch-rivals the Parramatta Eels in the preliminary final. HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate and TimeVenueRefereeCrowd Elimination and Preliminary Qualifying FinalsMiddleton David Rugby League 1999 Harper Sports Sydney 0732267773 161-173 Canberra 16 Canberra Raiders17–4 Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles28 August 1998Bruce StadiumBill Harrigan15,953 St. George Dragons 16 St. George Dragons12–20 Canterbury 16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs29 August 1998Jubilee OvalSteve Clark16,833 Parramatta Eels 16 Parramatta Eels25–12 North Sydney Bears 16 North Sydney Bears29 August 1998Parramatta StadiumKelvin Jeffes16,033 Melbourne Storm 16 Melbourne Storm12–26 Sydney City Roosters 16 Sydney City Roosters30 August 1998Olympic ParkPaul McBlane18,247 Elimination and Qualifying Quarter-Finals North Sydney Bears 16 North Sydney Bears2–23 Canterbury 16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs4 September 1998North Sydney OvalBill Harrigan18,718 Melbourne Storm 16 Melbourne Storm24–10 Canberra Raiders 16 Canberra Raiders5 September 1998Olympic ParkSteve Clark12,592 Newcastle Knights 16 Newcastle Knights15–26 Sydney City Roosters 16 Sydney City Roosters5 September 1998Marathon StadiumKelvin Jeffes26,482 Brisbane 16 Brisbane Broncos10–15 Parramatta 16 Parramatta Eels6 September 1998ANZ StadiumPaul McBlane21,172 Semi-Finals Newcastle 16 Newcastle Knights16–28 Canterbury 16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs12 September 1998Sydney Football Stadium*Steve Clark24,449 Brisbane Broncos 16 Brisbane Broncos30–6 Melbourne Storm 16 Melbourne Storm13 September 1998Sydney Football Stadium*Bill Harrigan20,354 Grand Final Qualifiers Sydney City Roosters 16 Sydney City Roosters18–46 Brisbane Broncos 16 Brisbane Broncos19 September 1998ANZ StadiumSteve Clark28,374 Parramatta 16 Parramatta Eels20–32 Canterbury 16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs20 September 1998Sydney Football StadiumBill Harrigan36,841 Note: Due to an agreement held between the NRL and SFS that required a set number of finals games to be held at the SFS, the semi-finals were both held at the SFS to meet the agreement despite neither "home" side being from Sydney. Grand Final 1998 NRL Grand Final The 1998 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 1998 NRL season. It was the first grand final of the re-unified National Rugby League and featured minor premiers and the previous year's Super League premiers, the Brisbane Broncos against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who had finished the regular season 9th (out of 20) to make a top-ten play-off grouping. It was to be the first grand final under the National Rugby League partnership's administration and the last to be played at the Sydney Football Stadium. It was also the first time these two sides had met in a grand final. Brisbane scored first, but by half time trailed Canterbury 10–12. However, Brisbane scored 28 unanswered points in the second half, winning 12–38 and equaling the second highest score for a team in grand final history. scoreboard Chart main 5 1 1 1 1 1 4,8,12,16 4,8,12,16 6,14 6,14 10 4-4,4-8:red,8-8,12-12,16-12:red,16-16 4-4,4-6:red,8-14,12-6,16-14:red,16-16 4-6,6-14,14-6,16-14 6-10,14-10 10 10 Preliminary Semi Finals 30 Aug, Olympic Park 3 Melbourne 16 Melbourne 12 6 Sydney 16 Sydney City 26 28 Aug, Bruce Stadium 7 Canberra 16 Canberra 17 10 Manly 16 Manly-Warringah 4 29 Aug, Jubilee Oval 8 St. George 16 St. George 12 9 Canterbury 16 Canterbury 20 29 Aug, Parramatta Stadium 4 Parramatta 16 Parramatta 25 5 North Sydney 16 North Sydney 12 Qualifying and Elimination Finals 5 Sept, Marathon Stadium 2 Newcastle 16 Newcastle 15 Sydney 16 Sydney City 26 5 Sept, Olympic Park Melbourne 16 Melbourne 24 Canberra 16 Canberra 10 4 Sept, North Sydney Oval North Sydney 16 North Sydney 2 Canterbury 16 Canterbury 23 6 Sept, ANZ Stadium 1 Brisbane 16 Brisbane 10 Parramatta 16 Parramatta 15 Semi Finals 12 Sept, Sydney Football Stadium Newcastle 16 Newcastle 16 Canterbury 16 Canterbury 28 13 Sept, Sydney Football Stadium Brisbane 16 Brisbane 30 Melbourne 16 Melbourne 6 Preliminary Finals 19 Sept, ANZ Stadium Sydney 16 Sydney City 18 Brisbane 16 Brisbane 46 20 Sept, Sydney Football Stadium Parramatta 16 Parramatta 20 Canterbury 16 Canterbury 32 Grand Final 27 Sept, Sydney Football Stadium Brisbane 16 Brisbane 38 Canterbury 16 Canterbury 12 Player statistics The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 24. Top 5 point scorers PointsPlayerTriesGoalsField Goals268Eastern Suburbs Ivan Cleary131080229North Sydney Jason Taylor51041226Brisbane Darren Lockyer14850208Canterbury Daryl Halligan5940174Newcastle Andrew Johns7714 Top 5 try scorers TriesPlayer20Brisbane Darren Smith20North Sydney Michael Buettner20Manly Steve Menzies19St. George Nathan Blacklock18Illawarra Trent Barrett Top 5 goal scorers GoalsPlayer108Eastern Suburbs Ivan Cleary104North Sydney Jason Taylor94Canterbury Daryl Halligan85Brisbane Darren Lockyer72Parramatta Clinton Schifcofske Postseason Brisbane's consistent dominance over other teams at this period of time contributed to the National Rugby League's plans to cut the number of teams down to 14 in order to ensure competitiveness and the long-term financial success of the game.http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/07/15/the-broncos-and-the-dragons-two-fallen-powerhouses/ Broncos, Dragons: two fallen powerhouses The Roar 15 July 2013 11 May 2016 Despite the rationalization of the league, the Broncos have continued to dominate in the modern era of the league, winning premierships in 2000,https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2021/08/13/fbf-2000-gf---the-kevvie-and-ben-show/ FBF: 2000 GF - The Kevvie and Ben Show Brisbane Broncos 13 August 2021 12 December 2024 2006https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/11/21/2006-grand-final-rewind-wayne-bennett-hails-brisbane-broncos-finest-hour/ 2006 grand final rewind: Bennett hails Broncos 'finest hour' National Rugby League Joel Gould 21 November 2018 12 December 2024 and 2025, as well as reaching another two Grand Finals in 2015https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/brisbane-broncos-v-sydney-roosters-live-coverage-of-nrl-preliminary-final/news-story/f99d2bf02e873e85b8f6490852ca14aa Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters: Live coverage of NRL preliminary final Herald Sun Ben Glover 25 September 2015 12 December 2024 and 2023.https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-finals-2023-brisbane-broncos-vs-warriors-preliminary-final-teams-live-stream-live-blog-supercoach-scores-videos-reece-walsh-shaun-johnson/news-story/9227d65328bb399a721adf6c90d42873 Kev-olution complete: Broncos book GF as Wahs whacked by ‘absolute freak’ Fox Sports Australia 23 September 2023 12 December 2024https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-grand-final-2023-brisbane-broncos-2006-premiership-afterparty-celebrations-brent-tate-melbourne-storm/news-story/34d039d5a14f2474321be540a5f8ba43 ‘Through the boardroom roof’: Inside the Broncos’ ‘06 week-long GF celebrations Fox Sports Australia Darcie McDonald 26 September 2023 12 December 2024 Despite the inclusion of "national" in the new competition's name, both the Gold Coast and Adelaide clubs folded at the end of the 1998 season. A new Gold Coast side re-entered the competition nine years later in 2007. 1998 was the last season for the seventy-eight-year-old St. George Dragons and seventeen-year-old Illawarra Steelers clubs, which merged to form the NRL's first joint-venture team at the conclusion of the season, the St. George Illawarra Dragons, for inclusion in the 1999 Premiership. 1998 Transfers Players Player1997 Club1998 Club Tim Brasher Balmain Balmain Tigers South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Ellery Hanley Balmain Balmain Tigers Retirement Glenn Morrison Balmain Balmain Tigers North Sydney North Sydney Bears Marcus Bai Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Melbourne Melbourne Storm Martin Bella Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Retirement Des Clark Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Halifax Super League: Halifax Blue Sox Brendan Hurst Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Jeremy Schloss Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs John Cross Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Penrith Penrith Panthers Brett Rodwell Illawarra Illawarra Steelers South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Mark Carroll Manly Manly Warringah Sea Eagles London Super League: London Broncos David Gillespie Manly Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Retirement Shannon Nevin Manly Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Balmain Balmain Tigers Scott Conley Newcastle Newcastle Knights Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Leo Dynevor Newcastle Newcastle Knights Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Marc Glanville Newcastle Newcastle Knights Leeds Super League: Leeds Rhinos Adam Muir Newcastle Newcastle Knights North Sydney North Sydney Bears Chris Caruana North Sydney North Sydney Bears South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Darren Fritz North Sydney North Sydney Bears Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies David Hall North Sydney North Sydney Bears South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Danny Williams North Sydney North Sydney Bears Melbourne Melbourne Storm Troy Campbell Parramatta Parramatta Eels Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Chris Lawler Parramatta Parramatta Eels Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers David Woods Parramatta Parramatta Eels Penrith Penrith Panthers Russell Wyer Parramatta Parramatta Eels Retirement Michael Eagar South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Warrington Super League: Warrington Wolves Jason Hudson South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers John Jones South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Retirement Clinton O'Brien South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Mark Protheroe South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Retirement Steele Retchless South Queensland South Queensland Crushers London Super League: London Broncos Clinton Schifcofske South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Parramatta Parramatta Eels Craig Teevan South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Mat Toshack South Queensland South Queensland Crushers London Super League: London Broncos Dave Watson South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Sheffield Super League: Sheffield Eagles Craig Wilson South Queensland South Queensland Crushers Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Jeff Orford South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Retirement David Penna South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Parramatta Parramatta Eels Craig Simon South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Mark Bell St. George St. George Dragons Wigan Super League: Wigan Warriors Peter Clarke Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Adelaide Adelaide Rams Ben Duckworth Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Balmain Balmain Tigers Sean Garlick Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Terry Hermansson Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Brandon Pearson Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Canberra Canberra Raiders Dale Shearer Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Jacin Sinclair Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Balmain Balmain Tigers Bill Dunn Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Retirement Des Hasler Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies Retirement James Smith Western Suburbs Western Suburbs Magpies South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Cameron Blair Adelaide Adelaide Rams (Super League) Retirement Kevin Campion Adelaide Adelaide Rams (Super League) Brisbane Brisbane Broncos Phil Blake Auckland Auckland Warriors (Super League) Retirement Mark Horo Auckland Auckland Warriors (Super League) Retirement Grant Young Auckland Auckland Warriors (Super League) London Super League: London Broncos Glenn Lazarus Brisbane Brisbane Broncos (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Anthony Mundine Brisbane Brisbane Broncos (Super League) St. George St. George Dragons Noa Nadruku Canberra Canberra Raiders (Super League) North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Quentin Pongia Canberra Canberra Raiders (Super League) Auckland Auckland Warriors Richie Barnett Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Super League) Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Tawera Nikau Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Keith Beauchamp Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Retirement Anthony Brann Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Canberra Canberra Raiders John Carlaw Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Darrien Doherty Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Adelaide Adelaide Rams Justin Dooley Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Eastern Suburbs Sydney City Roosters Brad Godden Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Leeds Super League: Leeds Rhinos Noel Goldthorpe Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Adelaide Adelaide Rams Scott Hill Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Kevin Iro Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Auckland Auckland Warriors Tony Iro Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Adelaide Adelaide Rams Brett Kimmorley Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Tim Maddison Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Paul Marquet Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Robbie McCormack Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Wigan Super League: Wigan Warriors Neil Piccinelli Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Newcastle Newcastle Knights Willie Poching Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) St. George St. George Dragons Robbie Ross Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Troy Stone Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Richard Swain Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Nick Zisti Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Cronulla Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Justin Loomans North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys (Super League) South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs David Alexander Penrith Penrith Panthers (Super League) Retirement Steve Waddell Penrith Penrith Panthers (Super League) Retirement Paul Bell Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Damien Chapman Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) London Super League: London Broncos Shaun Devine Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Retirement Jeff Doyle Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Retirement Greg Fleming Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Dale Fritz Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys Matt Fuller Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Wakefield Wakefield Trinity Mark Geyer Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Penrith Penrith Panthers Darren Higgins Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) London Super League: London Broncos Tim Horan Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Illawarra Illawarra Steelers Rodney Howe Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Robbie Kearns Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Barrie-Jon Mather Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Castleford Super League: Castleford Tigers Matthew Rodwell Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) St. George St. George Dragons Chris Ryan Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) London Super League: London Broncos Peter Shiels Perth Reds Perth Reds (Super League) Newcastle Newcastle Knights Russell Bawden London Super League: London Broncos Melbourne Melbourne Storm Tony Martin London Super League: London Broncos Melbourne Melbourne Storm Matt Munro Oldham Super League: Oldham Bears South Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs Danny McAllister Sheffield Super League: Sheffield Eagles Gold Coast Chargers Gold Coast Chargers Tony Tatupu Warrington Super League: Warrington Wolves Auckland Auckland Warriors Coaches Coach1997 Club1998 Club Chris Anderson Canterbury Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (Super League) Melbourne Melbourne Storm Graham Murray Hunter Hunter Mariners (Super League) Leeds Super League: Leeds Rhinos References External links Rugby League Tables - Notes The World of Rugby League Rugby League Tables - Season 1998 The World of Rugby League Premiership History and Statistics RL1908 1998 - Broncos Take Inaugural NRL Competition RL1908