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.
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, 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. There was nothing in the Storm's performance to indicate that a comeback was possible.
But Melbourne Storm recovered from their poor start with inspiring 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.
Season summary 12 February – Melbourne open their season with a trial match against the Auckland Warriors at Brisbane's Lang Park. Using their entire squad, the Storm had led 14–4, before a spirited fourth quarter comeback lifted the Warriors to a 16–14 win in front of 5,000 fans. 14 February – Despite their successes in 1998, Melbourne were not quoted among the favourites among bookmakers to win the 1999 premiership, with NSW SportsTAB spokesperson Wayne Cross saying: "I reckon they over-achieved last season and will find the going harder in 1999. They've got some good players but a couple of injuries and they'll crash right out of contention." Melbourne were quoted by bookmakers at the start of the season as 12/1 chances to win the premiership. 20 February – Melbourne then made their second trip to Albury to take on the Canberra Raiders in front of over 7,000 fans. The Storm finished strongly to win 24–18, after trailing 14–8 at half time. The club again courted controversy and a potential fine of 10,000 with suspended forward Rodney Howe seen on the sideline and carrying drinks onto the field. 25 February – Melbourne were fined 10,000 for the second time in a week for allowing suspended forward Rodney Howe to be on the player's bench during the trial match against the Raiders in Albury. The first fine also related to Howe sitting on the bench during a match during the 1998 season following Howe's 22-match suspension for taking performance enhancing drugs. Storm coach Chris Anderson later saying: "It is time the persecution of Rodney Howe stopped. Howe has been fined by the club and the NRL. He has been made an example of and humiliated at every level. As far as I'm concerned he is part of the club and, for the sake of his rehabilitation, it is important he knows that." Round 1 – Melbourne open the 1999 NRL season, winning the first game of the season 32–10. Matt Geyer scored the first try of the season in front of 12,056 fans at Olympic Park. Big-name signing Stephen Kearney made his debut for the club in the match, setting up a number of attacking moves. Round 2 – Former Melbourne er John Carlaw scored a try against the club in Balmain Tigers 16–6 victory. Carlaw said he "just wanted to prove a point." Melbourne had two tries disallowed in the defeat, with the Storm attack unable to break the Tigers defence. 16 March – It was reported that Melbourne Storm officials were considering legal action against broadcaster Alan Jones who had claimed on his 2UE radio show that players were "fairly inebriated" on the Friday evening before the match against Balmain. Jones later apologised to Melbourne Storm CEO Chris Johns, with the club not pursuing the matter further. Round 3 – Storm thrash Brisbane Broncos 48–6 to inflict (what was then) Brisbane's heaviest defeat in their history. It was Melbourne's first win against the Broncos, after losing both matches during the 1998 season. During the second half, Aaron Moule became the first Melbourne player to be sent to the sin bin. 22 March – Melbourne coach Chris Anderson was appointed Kangaroos coach. 23 March – At the NRL Judiciary, Stephen Kearney was suspended for five matches for a grade one dangerous throw charge from an incident in the match against the Broncos, the suspension also ruling him out of the 1999 Anzac Test. Round 4 – Melbourne run the risk of censure from the NRL after introducing "Skirt Man" to the Olympic Park crowd before the game against Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Storm CEO Chris Johns claimed the NRL Judiciary's decision to suspend Stephen Kearney for five matches would see players "all wearing skirts". Melbourne were behind 17–10 with less than 20 minutes remaining in the match, scoring three late tries to seal a 26–17 win. 29 March – The NRL take no further action against the Storm for the "Skirt Man" stunt. 31 March – NRL Judiciary chairman Justice Greg Woods rejected Melbourne's appeal against Stephen Kearney's five match suspension after the club presented additional video replays. Round 5 – An out of sorts Melbourne had their winning streak snapped by the Cronulla Sharks in a 20–16 loss at Olympic Park. The Sharks defence holding out the Storm late in the match, with Robbie Kearns held up over the line with seven minutes remaining. Round 6 – In his first game back following a 22-match suspension for steroid use, Rodney Howe is charged with a grade two careless high tackle in a tackle that broke the jaw of Auckland Warriors Jason Death. Howe was later suspended for one match. Melbourne won the match 38–10 against the Warriors, for their first win in New Zealand. Round 8 – Matt Geyer sets a new club record for points in a game with 24 (two tries, eight goals) against South Sydney Rabbitohs, eclipsing Craig Smith's mark of 18 points against Western Suburbs Magpies.Geyer had practised his goalkicking with former Socceroos forward Scott Ollerenshaw in the leadup to the match after landing only three of ten attempts at goal during the last two matches. Melbourne won the match 52–6, scoring nine tries in the match. Round 9 – Robbie Ross scored two tries as Melbourne defeated the Brisbane Broncos for the second time in the season, taking a 28–18 win that kept the reigning premiers on the foot of the NRL ladder. The crowd of 16,473 was the highest announced crowd at Olympic Park for the season, with a tribute to the recently retired Allan Langer featuring at halftime. Round 10 – In the club's first ever game in Western Australia, Melbourne thrash Western Suburbs Magpies 62–6 at Lathlain Park. Matt Geyer sets two new club records – most points in a game (34); tries in a game (four). He also equalled Craig Smith's club record nine goals in a game. Geyer's 34 points was the sixth highest individual scoring effort in league history. 18 May – Robbie Kearns is thrown from a horse during a NSW Blues Origin "bonding camp" in the Megalong Valley organised by coach Wayne Pearce. Kearns suffers a broken collarbone, and is ruled out of action for months. Melbourne coach Chris Anderson later blasts Pearce in his newspaper column: "As far as I'm concerned, any coach who puts blokes on horses mid-season, let alone before an important representative clash, is off their rocker." Round 13 – Melbourne lose to joint venture club St George Illawarra Dragons in the first meeting between the clubs. Backing up after the first State of Origin match, captain Glenn Lazarus blamed himself for the loss, apologising for three errors with the ball. Scores were level at 12–all at half time, Melbourne unable to contain the Dragons after the break. Round 14 – Missing three players due to State of Origin selection, Melbourne lose 26–6 to the Canberra Raiders. The Storm fell behind early in chilly conditions, looking out of sorts and sluggish while lacking discipline. 8 June – Scott Hill undergoes surgery on a shoulder injury ruling him out for the rest of the season, while club officials call for State of Origin players to be released back to their clubs on the weekend before any dead rubber games. Round 15 – Melbourne lose three matches in a row for the first time, losing by one point to the Andrew Johns inspired Newcastle Knights in an entertaining match. The halfback scored a try and kicked the winning field goal in a 27–26 result. 17 June – Paul Rauhihi is released from his contract with Melbourne to sign with Newcastle Knights. Rauhihi never played a first grade game for Melbourne. Round 16 – The Storm snap a three-match losing streak with a gritty 26–8 win over the Sydney City Roosters at Olympic Park. Brett Kimmorley and Tawera Nikau both having strong matches, while teenage fullback Brad Watts was brought into the team to make his NRL debut. 23 June – Chairman John Ribot confirms Melbourne has been investigating a possible move to the under construction Docklands Stadium in 2000. Round 17 – Stephen Kearney was reported again for a high tackle on Terry Hill in Melbourne's 19–18 win against Manly at Brookvale Oval. Brett Kimmorley scored two tries and the winning field goal three minutes from fulltime.Coach Chris Anderson praising Kimmorley as among the "best five or six players" in the world. 29 June – Melbourne endure a double blow at the NRL Judiciary with prop forward Rodney Howe suspended for two matches for striking and Stephen Kearney receiving a one match suspension for his high tackle on Terry Hill. The Storm successfully arguing for a reduction in the grading of the Kearney tackle from grade two to grade one. Round 18 – In wet conditions at Olympic Park, Parramatta blew out Melbourne in the first half to lead 18–0 to score the most points in the first half against the Storm. Robbie Ross scored a late consolation try in the 20–6 loss. Brett O'Farrell made his debut for the Storm in the match. 6 July – The NSWRL tell Melbourne that under no circumstances will they pay compensation to Robbie Kearns for the horse riding accident. Round 19 – In Melbourne's first visit to Stadium Australia, the team bounced back from their loss to Parramatta to beat the Bulldogs 24–14. Aaron Moule scored a double, while Brad Watts almost scored two tries himself, his second try denied by the video referee.