2004 Super League Grand Final

2004 (2004) Super League Grand Final ()
2004 Super League Grand Final
16	8
Date	16 October 2004
Stadium	Old Trafford
Location	Manchester
Harry Sunderland Trophy	Matt Diskin ( Leeds Rhinos)
Headliners	Heather Small
Referee	Steve Ganson
Attendance	65,547
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters	Sky Sports;
Commentators	Eddie Hemmings; Mike Stephenson;
	Super League Grand Final ← 2003 2005 →

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 edit

	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 edit

Leeds Rhinos edit

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 edit

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 edit

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