Background
This was the Kangaroos' second consecutive appearance in a Grand Final, whilst it was Carlton's first since winning the 1995 AFL Grand Final.
Kangaroos finished the 1999 home and away season in second position with 17 wins and 5 losses, a game behind Essendon, with the Western Bulldogs, West Coast, Carlton, Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney making up the final eight. Carlton had finished sixth with a record of 12 wins and ten losses, becoming only the second club (after Melbourne in 1900) to reach the Grand Final after finishing sixth on the ladder.
The Kangaroos progressed to the Grand Final after a 45-point win over Brisbane in the Preliminary Final, while Carlton progressed to the Grand Final after an upset one-point win against the heavily favoured minor premiers, Essendon, in their preliminary final. Consequently, the Kangaroos went into the Grand Final as heavy favourites.
Read more about this topic: 1999 AFL Grand Final
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