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
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts1 Leeds Rhinos2824221037443+594502 Bradford Bulls282017918565+35341
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
Bradford's Leon Pryce was unable to play due to a shoulder injury, he was replaced by Paul Johnson.
Andrew Dunemann was left out of the Leeds side. Danny McGuire was partnered by Kevin Sinfield in the halves. The pre-match entertainment was performed by singer Heather Small
Leeds RhinosPositionBradford Bulls21 Richard Mathers Fullback6 Michael Withers18 Mark Calderwood Winger17 Stuart Reardon5 Chev Walker Centre16 Paul Johnson4 Keith Senior Centre4 Shontayne Hape22 Marcus Bai Winger5 Lesley Vainikolo13 Kevin Sinfield Stand Off18 Iestyn Harris 6 Danny McGuire Scrum half7 Paul Deacon19 Danny Ward Prop8 Joe Vagana9 Matt Diskin Hooker1 Robbie Paul8 Ryan Bailey Prop29 Stuart Fielden3 Chris McKenna 2nd Row12 Jamie Peacock29 Ali Lauitiiti 2nd Row13 Logan Swann11 David Furner Loose forward11 Lee Radford 7 Rob Burrow Interchange15 Karl Pratt16 Willie Poching Interchange19 Jamie Langley10 Barrie McDermott Interchange27 Rob Parker20 Jamie Jones-Buchanan Interchange10 Paul Anderson Tony Smith Coach Brian Noble
See also Super League IX
References
External links 2004 Super League Grand Final at rlphotos.com - article on Leeds Rhinos including description of 2004 Final