COMMENTS : The whole season came down to this. A grand final to finish the century between 2 new teams in their first grand finals. For many St. George-llawarra players it was their first taste of a Grand Final, but of course the St.George Dragons had been there 3 other times in the 90's and already knew the taste of defeat. For the ex-Illawarra players it was a chance to live out every players dream. Players like McGregor, Wishart and Barrett were all playing in their first Grand Finals. Meanwhile the Storm, who have only been together for 2 years were looking at a fairytale end to a long season. Many of the players were virtually unknown before the Storm was formed out of ex-Hunter Mariner players and unwanted reserve graders. They have unleashed the talents of players like Brett Kimmorley, Matt Geyer, Scott Hill, Robbie Ross and Marcus Bai combined with the experience and talent of stalwarts like Glenn Lazarus, Tawera Nikau and Stephen Kearney. It was billed as a State against State game with Sydney siders expected to barrack for the Dragons, but it didn't matter because the stadium was full for a world-record crowd for Rugby League and the biggest crowd to fill the new olympic stadium (beating the Bledisloe Cup crowd by about 500). The scene was set. St. George Illawarra had the better of the first 10 minutes, but neither side could cross the line, until Craig Fitzgibbon took advantage of a mistake at the back for the Storm to dive on a ball and make the first points. From there the Dragons dominated the first half as the Storm bumbled and fumbled their way through the remaing 30 minutes.

One of the highlights of the game occured in the 30th minute however when Kimmorley put in a chip kick down the field and chased after it. It seemed that he was going to reach it first when suddenly from out of nowhere Nathan Blacklock powered onto the ball as the ball bounced perfectly into his arms. He burst between Kimmorley and Ross (who ran into each other) and ran 70 metres to score untouched under the posts. The conversion gave the Dragons a 14-0 lead and at half time you could hear the printers printing the next days headlines already and the t-shirt manufacturers making the Dragons Grand Final victory t-shirts! But the Storm were berated by the national coach Chris Anderson at half time. Could they come back? Would the Dragons let them?

It didn't take long for the Storm to score their first points. Smith kicked a penalty goal after 2 minutes to get the Storm on the scoreboard and within 12 points of the leaders. The Dragons surely had to score next and seal the game. From the 53rd to the 59th minute 3 tries were scored. Melbourne scored first to Martin who seemed to score of a forward pass. It went to the video ref, but he didn't look at the pass. Harrigan would later be accused of making a wrong decision on that one. 4 minutes later Wishart and Bai went up for a bomb catch. Bai knocked it forward and McGregor took it and strolled over for a 4 pointer. Bartrim missed a conversion that would prove to be VERY costly. Melbourne needed something quick. 20 minutes remained and they were still 12 points in arrears. it didn't take long. 2 minutes after McGregors try Ben Roarty walked through the tiring Dragons defence to bring the Storm to within a converted try. the Dragons were tired. The Dragons were running one out and from the rucks and the Storm continued to plummel them in the forwards. Could the Dragons hang on? And should they? Melbourne kicked a penalty goal with 16 minutes remaining and it should have been enough time for the Dragons to steady themselves and put the game away. but the clock ticked on into the 70 minutes. 76 minutes passed and the Dragons had withstood every Storm attacking phase, but with 4 minutes to go Kimmorley hoisted a bomb up towards the wing of Craig Smith. We looked over there and there were 2 Storm players and one St.George-Illawarra player trying to make up ground. the Storm player was going to catch it! He did and as he hit the ground with his feet and started to bend down to score the try, Jamie Ainscough flew over the top and collected Craig Smith's head with his arm. Smith dropped the ball and collapsed onto the turf in the in goal...unconscious.

What would happen? Surely we couldn't...no...a penalty try? In a Grand Final? Bill Harrigan went to the video ref. We heard him say "I want you to see if he would have grounded the ball...."