2004 Super League Grand Final

2004 (2004) Super League Grand Final
12Total
LEE 10616
BRA 448
Date16 October 2004
StadiumOld Trafford
Location Manchester
Harry Sunderland Trophy Matt Diskin ( Leeds Rhinos)
HeadlinersHeather Small
RefereeSteve Ganson
Attendance65,547
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators

The 2004 Super League Grand Final was the 7th official Grand Final and conclusive and championship-deciding game of Super League IX. It was held on Saturday 16 October 2004, at Old Trafford, Manchester, and was played between Leeds Rhinos, who finished top of the league after the 28 weekly rounds, and Bradford Bulls, who finished second after the weekly rounds.

Background

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Leeds Rhinos 28 24 2 2 1037 443 +594 50
2 Bradford Bulls 28 20 1 7 918 565 +353 41

Route to the Final

Leeds Rhinos

Leeds finished top of the table to qualify for a home match in the semi-finals. The play-off structure matched them against the team finishing second - Bradford. Bradford won the semi-final meaning Leeds had to win the elimination final against Wigan to qualify for the grand final. In the elimination final they raced past Wigan 40–12 to set up a rematch against Bradford.

Leeds
Round Opposition Score
Qualifying Semi-Final Bradford Bulls (H) 26-12
Elimination Final Wigan Warriors (H) 40-12
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Bradford Bulls

By finishing second in the table Bradford qualified for the semi-finals but had to play the league leaders, Leeds, away with the winners going straight through to the grand final. In the game at Headingley Bradford won 26–12.

Match details

16 October 2004
Leeds Rhinos 16 - 8 Bradford Bulls
Tries: Diskin
McGuire
Goals: Sinfield (4)
Report
Tries: Vainikolo
Hape
Old Trafford, Manchester
Attendance: 65,547
Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)

Bradford's Leon Pryce was unable to play due to a shoulder injury, he was replaced by Paul Johnson.[1]

Andrew Dunemann was left out of the Leeds side.[1] Danny McGuire was partnered by Kevin Sinfield in the halves.[1] The pre-match entertainment was performed by singer Heather Small

Leeds Rhinos Position Bradford Bulls
21 Richard Mathers Fullback 6 Michael Withers
18 Mark Calderwood Winger 17 Stuart Reardon
5 Chev Walker Centre 16 Paul Johnson
4 Keith Senior Centre 4 Shontayne Hape
22 Marcus Bai Winger 5 Lesley Vainikolo
13 Kevin Sinfield Stand Off 18 Iestyn Harris
6 Danny McGuire Scrum half 7 Paul Deacon
19 Danny Ward Prop 8 | Joe Vagana
9 Matt Diskin Hooker 1 Robbie Paul
8 Ryan Bailey Prop 29 Stuart Fielden
3 Chris McKenna 2nd Row 12 Jamie Peacock
29 Ali Lauitiiti 2nd Row 13 Logan Swann
11 David Furner Loose forward 11 Lee Radford
7 Rob Burrow Interchange 15 Karl Pratt
16 Willie Poching Interchange 19 Jamie Langley
10 Barrie McDermott Interchange 27 Rob Parker
20 Jamie Jones-Buchanan Interchange 10 Paul Anderson
Tony Smith Coach Brian Noble

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c BBC Sport (16 October 2004). "Clockwatch: Bradford v Leeds". BBC. Retrieved 11 July 2009.