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Where are they now - 1999 Grand Final team

After finishing the 1999 regular season in third place, Melbourne Storm managed a feat precious few expected the Victorian expansion side would achieve so quickly - winning the club's inaugural premiership in only its second year of existence.

Trailing 14-0 to the St George Illawarra Dragons at half-time, a resilient playing group with unwavering belief clawed their way back to be only 18-14 down with just three minutes to play.

In front of 107,999 fans - still the biggest crowd in NRL history - a season-defining penalty try was awarded to Storm winger Craig Smith, who was out cold after copping a left hook around the throat.

With Smith down, five-eighth Matt Geyer was responsible for converting the try and he kicked truly - capping one of the great NRL comebacks and clinching the premiership.

So where are they now? We take a look at what Marcus Bai, Glenn Lazarus, Stephen Kearney and Matt Geyer are up to 20 years on...

Marcus Bai

The first player from Papua New Guinea to pull on the Melbourne Storm jersey, Bai played 144 games for the club and scored 70 tries over six seasons before a switch to the English Super League.

After retiring from the Bradford Bulls in '06, Bai returned home to Papua New Guinea where he started a farming plantation in the village where his mother and father lived.

He spent time working for a labour hire company before eventually landing in the mining industry.

He now lives on the Gold Coast with his family.

Glenn Lazarus

The 1999 grand final was Glenn Lazarus' 254th and final NRL appearance – and what a way to bow out as he captained Melbourne to glory. 

Following his retirement Lazzo dabbled in the coaching game, spending some time with the Broncos as their forwards coach.

He then moved into the world of business, starting up a PR company with his wife, which they still own and operate.

Post-career he is perhaps best known for his stint as a Senator in Canberra under the Palmer United Party.

Stephen Kearney

As Storm captain in 2004, Kearney became the first New Zealand footballer to play 250 Australian first-grade matches.

He retired from the English Super League in 2006 and returned to the club as an assistant coach.

His apprenticeship at Melbourne would be the start of a long coaching career, which has included a stint as head coach of the New Zealand Kiwis national team.

He has been the New Zealand Warriors head coach since 2016.

Matt Geyer

The first Storm player to wear the purple jersey for 250 games, Geyer represented New South Wales in all three State of Origin matches in 1999, scoring two tries.

He retired from professional football at the end of 2008 and graduated from the University of Southern Queensland with a secondary teaching diploma in 2013.

He is now a passionate junior rugby league coach and works as a school teacher. 

 

Join both the 1999 and 2009 Grand Final teams as they celebrate milestone Premiership anniversaries at this year's Legends Luncheon.

Hosted by Ian Cohen, enjoy a two-course gourmet lunch and drinks at Melbourne's premium event space, The Glass House.

Don't miss this opportunity to rub shoulders with Storm greats and reminisce over past glory - purchase tickets here.

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Melbourne Storm respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.