The 2001 Super League Grand Final was the Fourth official Grand Final and the conclusive and championship-deciding match of Super League VI. The match was held on Saturday 13 October 2001 at Old Trafford, Manchester, and was contested by Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors. Refereed by Stuart Cummings, 60,164 saw Bradford Bulls win 37 - 6.
Background
Tetleys Super League VI was the fourth and final time the top five playoff system would be used and the first season relegation was reintroduced with Huddersfield Giants again finishing bottom and relegated. Bradford Bulls finished top for a third time.
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts1 Bradford Bulls2822151120474+646452 Wigan Warriors282215989494+49545
Route to the Final Bradford Bulls Bradford finished first in the table so they automatically qualified for the play-off semi-finals where they had a home time against Wigan at Odsal Stadium. Bradford won 24–18 to qualify for the Grand Final.
Wigan Warriors
The play-off system in use only gave the league leaders a bye to the semi-finals. Wigan had finished second so had to play a qualifying play-off first. Drawn at home to Hull F.C. Wigan won a close game 27–24 to go through to the semi-final. This was an away fixture to Bradford where they were beaten 24–18. However this loss did not end their season. The losers of the qualifying semi-final got another chance by playing the winners of the other semi-final in a final eliminator. Therefore, Wigan's third play-off game was a home tie against St Helens where they won through 44–10. + Wigan Round Opposition Score Qualifying Semi-Final Hull FC (H) 27-24 Semi-Final Bradford Bulls (A) 24-18 Preliminary Final St Helens (H) 44-10 Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.
Match details
Bradford BullsPositionWigan Warriors1 Michael Withers Fullback1 Kris Radlinski Tevita Vaikona Winger2 Brett Dallas Scott Naylor Centre3 Gary Connolly Graham Mackay Centre Steve Renouf5 Leon Pryce Winger5 Brian Carney6 Henry Paul Stand Off Matthew Johns7 Robbie Paul Scrum half7 Adrian Lam Joe Vagana Prop Terry O'Connor9 James Lowes Hooker9 Terry Newton Brian McDermott Prop Harvey Howard Daniel Gartner 2nd Row Mick Cassidy11 Jamie Peacock 2nd Row David Furner Mike Forshaw Loose forward13 Andy Farrell Paul Deacon Interchange Paul Johnson Shane Rigon Interchange Chris Chester Paul Anderson Interchange Denis Betts Stuart Fielden Interchange Neil Cowie Brian Noble Coach Stuart Raper
References
External links 2001 Super League Grand Final at rlphotos.com