2004 Super League Grand Final

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.

2004 (2004) Super League Grand Final  ()
12 Total
LEE 106 16
BRA 44 8
Date16 October 2004
StadiumOld Trafford
LocationEngland Manchester
Harry Sunderland TrophyEngland Matt Diskin ( Leeds Rhinos)
HeadlinersHeather Small
RefereeSteve Ganson
Attendance65,547
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators
← 2003
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Background

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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

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Leeds Rhinos

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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

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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

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

See also

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References

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