Monday 27 September 1999
By eBroadcast Staff and agencies.

The Nine Network scored huge ratings for the NRL Grand Final as the Melbourne Storm came from behind to record an historic, drama-charged 20-18 victory over hot favourites St George Illawarra.

According to official ACNielsen figures, between 3.00pm and 5.00pm an average (five capital city) audience of 2,440,500 watched the absorbing game, while a record rugby league crowd of 107,558 crammed into Stadium Australia in Sydney for the match.

In Sydney, the Grand Final achieved a peak rating of 45 at 4.56pm with 1,432,000 viewers glued to their sets. Overall, an average 1,280,100 Sydneysiders watched the final between 3.00pm and 5.00pm.

The game also attracted huge numbers in Melbourne with an average 464,100 and a peak rating of 27 at 5.00pm with 640,000 viewers.

In Brisbane an average 547,500 viewers watched the game, which peaked at 37 at 4.45pm with 641,000.

The ratings were up more than 600,000 on the 1998 Grand Final, which attracted an average national audience of 1,823,000 viewers, including 882,000 in Sydney, 212,000 in Melbourne and 601,000 in Brisbane.