1998 brought the start of the National Rugby League competition.
Super League (Australia) ended its 1 year competition and the Australian Rugby League also ended theirs to merge as one.
But for some clubs it came at a cost.
For the Hunter Mariners and Perth Reds from Super League (Australia) and the South Queensland Crushers from the Australian Rugby League, these franchises ended.
But a new franchise was created that was the first team in the state of Victoria: the Melbourne Storm.