As the 2023 Melbourne Storm squad prepare for the Club’s 23rd run toward ultimate glory, take a look back at Storm’s Finals moments of the past that have created the inspiring legacy our current players will chase over the coming weeks.
A play so destined for the history books; legendary commentator Ray Warren dubbed its preceding moments “one of the biggest calls that's ever been made in 100 years of rugby league.”
“It was the worst kick ever, but it had the best result” recalls inaugural Storm captain Glenn Lazarus.
This is the moment a then 24-year-old Matt Geyer kicked the winning conversion to secure Melbourne’s first premiership in the 1999 Grand Final.
NRL Classic Grand Final Storm v Dragons 1999
Falling behind 14-0 to the St George Illawarra Dragons in the first half of play at Stadium Australia, Storm went on to showcase their now signature tenacity, clawing their way back to 18-14 by the 65th minute.
It was then, when halfback Brett Kimmorley put in a cross-field kick directed to winger Craig Smith, that history was about to be made.
Neatly receiving the ball over Storm’s try-line, Smith was greeted by a high shot around the throat from Dragons winger Jamie Ainscough, knocking him out cold on the way down.
With a score-levelling result on the line, all in the 107,000-strong crowd waited in angst. The purple pride desperate for their first win; Dragons supporters preparing to celebrate a season of dominance with the final achievement.
As the men in purple were awarded a penalty try, attention quickly turned to a burgeoning five-eighth, Geyer.
“I was putting the ball down and I looked at my hands and I couldn't get [the ball] to settle on the tee...the occasion was just engulfing me,” He said reflecting on the defining moment.
I was right in front of the post and I didn't think my legs were going to get me to the ball to kick it over, like ‘I'm gonna dust this and just dribble it through the post’.
“I was really nervous...I didn't know this on the day, but I've seen in the replay, I forgot my steps. I forgot how many times I went back and went across.
“It was five and three, but I after I've taken like two or three back I pause and I look up. You know criminologists, they say if you look up to the right, you're remembering and look up to the left you're imagining or something like that, and so if you watch that video, you know I’m actually trying to remember.
“That process was painstaking. It felt like it took 15 minutes. My legs felt like they weren't underneath me and my hands were shaking.”
Converting the try seamlessly and with only three minutes left on the clock, Storm’s victorious fate was sealed.
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