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{{Short description|Rugby league competition}}
{| style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center;" width=300 border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 align=right
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
|- bgcolor=#B0D3FB
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
!colspan=2|2004 NRL Season
{{Infobox rugby league season
| year = 2004
| competition = National Rugby League
<!-- Commented out: | image = National Rugby League 2001.png -->
| imagesize = 100px
| caption =
| teams = 15
| premiers = {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
| count = 8th
| minor premiers = {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
| mpcount = 16th
| matches = 189
| points = 9,086
| avg_attendance = 15,929
| attendance = 3,010,639
| top point scorer = {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Hazem El Masri]] (342)
| top try scorer = [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|16px]] [[Amos Roberts]] (23)
| MVP = {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Danny Buderus]]
| MVP_link = Dally M Medal
| prevseason_year = [[2003 NRL season|2003]]
| nextseason_year = [[2005 NRL season|2005]]
}}
The '''2004 NRL season''' (also known as the '''2004 Telstra Premiership''' due to sponsorship from [[Telstra]]) was the 97th season of professional [[rugby league]] football in Australia, and the seventh run by the [[National Rugby League]]. Fifteen clubs competed during the regular season before the top eight finishing teams contested the finals series. The [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] defeated the [[Sydney Roosters]] in the [[2004 NRL grand final]] and in doing so claimed their eighth premiership.

==Pre-season==
The beginning of the season was largely overshadowed with several [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Bulldogs]] players questioned by police in relation to an alleged rape of a 20-year-old [[Coffs Harbour, New South Wales|Coffs Harbour]] woman.<ref>{{Cite news
| last = abc.net.au
| title = Bulldogs' accuser gives statement to police
| work = ABC News
| place = Australia
| publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]
| date = 24 February 2004
| url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/nsw/200402/s1051920.htm
| access-date = 6 March 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629005311/http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/nsw/200402/s1051920.htm
| archive-date = 29 June 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> An independent investigator, former New South Wales chief of detectives, would later fail to find any evidence of misconduct on behalf of the players, and no charges were pressed.

The [[2004 World Club Challenge]] was held on Friday, 13 February 2004, at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield, England. The game was contested by Bradford Bulls and Penrith Panthers and won by the home team.

The [[salary cap]] for the 2004 season was [[Australian dollar|A$]]3.25 million per club for their 25 highest-paid players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/663927 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005184004/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/663927 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 October 2012 |title=NRL salary cap guide &#124; &#124; ONE SPORT |publisher=tvnz.co.nz |date=22 February 2006 |access-date=18 August 2012 }}</ref>

==Regular season==
Due to a perceived emphasis in the game on defence, NRL referees were instructed to call out "surrender tackle" this season when ball carriers submit at the ruck, signalling the defence to slow down the tackle in order for defenders to reset.<ref>{{cite news
| last = Masters
| first = Roy
| title = Attacking ploy beaten into submission
| work = The Sydney Morning Herald
| place =Australia
| publisher = Fairfax Digital
| date = 20 January 2005
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/Attacking-ploy-beaten-into-submission/2005/01/19/1106110816673.html
| access-date = 27 December 2009}}</ref>

The first round of the season began on Friday, 12 March with [[2003 NRL season|2003]] champions, the [[Penrith Panthers]] losing 14–20 to the [[Newcastle Knights]] before a crowd of 19,936 at [[Penrith Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Masters, Roy
| author-link = Roy Masters (rugby league)
| title = Knights clean up as Penrith discovers success is a wet cake of soap
| work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]
| place = Australia
| publisher = [[Fairfax Media]]
| date = 13 March 2004
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/12/1078594571784.html
| access-date = 6 March 2011}}</ref>

During a match between the Broncos and the Tigers, the Broncos fielded 14 men at one stage of the [[Campbelltown Stadium]] match. In the 60th minute, Brisbane's [[Shane Webcke]] knocked out by Tiger [[Bryce Gibbs (rugby league)|Bryce Gibbs]]. [[Corey Parker (rugby league)|Corey Parker]] was brought onto the ground while Webcke was still being assisted off. Parker immediately scored off a [[Darren Lockyer]] pass and started a Broncos revival (they trailed 24–8 at halftime) which later saw them win 24–32. But, after the fourteenth man was investigated, the Broncos were stripped of the two competition points,<ref>{{cite news
| last = Gould
| first = Phil
| title = Winning the war on error
| work = The Sun-Herald
| place =Australia
| publisher = Fairfax
| date = 4 April 2004
| url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/03/1080941729058.html
| access-date = 4 December 2009}}</ref> which were reinstated weeks later.

A significant comeback was seen in a round 25 clash between the [[St George Dragons]] and [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles|Manly]]. Trailing 34–10 after 53 minutes, St. George Illawarra came back to win the match 36–34. This match stood in second-place in the rankings of the biggest comebacks in Australian premiership history.

Several players and coaches also made the headlines for the wrong reasons. [[Jamie Lyon]] walked out on the [[Parramatta Eels|Parramatta]] club after the first round citing burnout and dissatisfaction with living in Sydney, and would later move to the UK for a successful [[Super League]] career. Coaches [[Daniel Anderson (rugby league)|Daniel Anderson]] and [[Paul Langmack]] would have their contracts terminated at the [[New Zealand Warriors]] and [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] respectively.

[[Andrew Johns]] was injured in [[Newcastle Knights|Newcastle's]] third game of the season against Parramatta, and subsequently missed the remainder of the season. The Knights missed the finals of the NRL for the first time since [[Australian Rugby League season 1996|1996]].

2004 was also notable for the emergence of teenage players [[Sonny Bill Williams]] ([[Bulldogs (rugby league team)|Bulldogs]]) and [[Karmichael Hunt]] ([[Brisbane Broncos]]), and their performances, mature beyond their years, would be critical to the fortunes of their clubs.

A quirk of the draw meant that the [[Sydney Roosters]] did not play a premiership match in Queensland during the season, while there was only one [[Queensland derby]] contested during the regular season, in round six in Townsville.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/results.html|title=NRL 2004 - Results|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref>

The grand finals:

* {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury Bulldogs vs {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Sydney Roosters (NRL)
* {{leagueicon|St George|16}} St George Illawarra Dragons vs {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Sydney Roosters (NSW Cup)
* {{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} Cronulla Sharks vs {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Sydney Roosters (NSW Jersey Flegg Cup)

The winners in all grades were:

* {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury Bulldogs (Seniors Grade)
* {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Sydney Roosters (NSW Cup)
* {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|16}} Sydney Roosters (NSW Jersey Flegg Cup)

The test match

* {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} Australia vs {{leagueicon|NZ|16}} New Zealand

The State Of Origin Series

* {{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} Queensland vs {{leagueicon|New South Wales|16}} New South Wales

===Teams===
The line-up of fifteen teams for the 2004 premiership remained unchanged from the previous season.
{| class="toccolours" style="margin:auto; text-valign:center;" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="2"
|-
|-
!width=150|
|colspan=2|[[Image:NRLlogo.gif|150px]]
!width=150|
!width=150|
!width=150|
!width=150|
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Brisbane Broncos]]'''<br /> <small>[[Brisbane Broncos 2004|17th season]]<br />Ground: [[Lang Park|Suncorp Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Wayne Bennett (rugby league)|Wayne Bennett]]<br />Captain: [[Gorden Tallis]]</small>
!width=45%| !!width=55%|
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]'''<br /> <small>[[Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club 2004|70th season]]<br />Ground: [[Sydney Showground Stadium|Sydney Showground]] & [[Stadium Australia|Telstra Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Steve Folkes]]<br />Captain: [[Steve Price (rugby league)|Steve Price]]</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Canberra Raiders]]'''<br /> <small>[[Canberra Raiders 2004|23rd season]]<br />Ground: [[Canberra Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Matthew Elliott (rugby league)|Matthew Elliott]]<br />Captain: [[Simon Woolford]]</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]]'''<br /> <small>[[2004 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks season|38th season]]<br />Ground: [[Endeavour Field|Toyota Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Stuart Raper]]<br />Captain: [[Brett Kimmorley]]</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]'''<br /> <small>[[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2004|55th season]]<br />Ground: [[Brookvale Oval]]<br />Coach: [[Des Hasler]]<br />Captain: [[Steve Menzies]]</small>
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Melbourne Storm]]'''<br /> <small>[[Melbourne Storm 2004|7th season]]<br />Ground [[Olympic Park Stadium (Melbourne)|Olympic Park]]<br />Coach: [[Craig Bellamy (rugby league)|Craig Bellamy]]<br />Captain: [[Stephen Kearney]]</small>
!bgcolor=#efefef|Participant teams
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Newcastle Knights]]'''<br /> <small>[[Newcastle Knights 2004|17th season]]<br />Ground: [[Newcastle International Sports Centre|EnergyAustralia Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Michael Hagan]]<br />Captain: [[Andrew Johns]]</small>
|15<br>(finals series: 8)
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[New Zealand Warriors]]'''<br /> <small>[[New Zealand Warriors 2004|10th season]]<br />Ground: [[Mount Smart Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Daniel Anderson (rugby league)|Daniel Anderson]] → [[Tony Kemp (rugby league)|Tony Kemp]]<br />Captain: [[Stacey Jones]]</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[North Queensland Cowboys]]'''<br /> <small>[[North Queensland Cowboys season 2004|10th season]]<br />Ground: [[Willows Sports Complex|Dairy Farmers Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Graham Murray]]<br />Captain: [[Travis Norton]]</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Parramatta Eels]]'''<br /> <small>[[Parramatta Eels 2004|58th season]]<br />Ground: [[Parramatta Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Brian Smith (rugby league, born 1954)|Brian Smith]]<br />Captain: [[Nathan Cayless]]</small>
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Penrith Panthers]]'''<br /> <small>[[Penrith Panthers 2004|38th season]]<br />Ground: [[Penrith Stadium|Penrith Football Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[John Lang (Australian rugby league)|John Lang]]<br />Captain: [[Craig Gower]]</small>
!bgcolor=#efefef|Premiers
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]'''<br /> <small>[[South Sydney Rabbitohs 2004|95th season]]<br />Ground: [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Aussie Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Paul Langmack]] → [[Arthur Kitinas]]<br />Captain: [[Bryan Fletcher (rugby league player)|Bryan Fletcher]]</small>
|[[Canterbury Bulldogs]]<br>Coach - [[Steve Folkes]]<br>Captain - [[Andrew Ryan]]
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]'''<br /> <small>[[2004 St. George Illawarra Dragons season|6th season]]<br />Ground: [[Jubilee Oval|OKI Jubilee Stadium]] & [[Wollongong Showground|WIN Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Nathan Brown (rugby league born 1973)|Nathan Brown]]<br />Captain: [[Trent Barrett]]</small>
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Sydney Roosters]]'''<br /> <small>[[Sydney Roosters 2004|97th season]]<br />Ground: [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Aussie Stadium]]<br />Coach: [[Ricky Stuart]]<br />Captain: [[Brad Fittler]]</small>
!bgcolor=#efefef|Runners-up
| style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Wests Tigers]]'''<br /> <small>[[Wests Tigers 2004|5th season]]<br />Ground: [[Campbelltown Stadium]] & [[Leichhardt Oval]]<br />Coach: [[Tim Sheens]]<br />Captain: [[Scott Sattler]] & [[Darren Senter]]</small>
|[[Sydney Roosters]]<br>Coach - [[Ricky Stuart]]<br>Captain - [[Brad Fittler]]
|-
!bgcolor=#efefef|Minor Premiers
|[[Sydney Roosters]]
|-
!bgcolor=#efefef|Top scorer
|[[Hazem El Masri]] ([[Canterbury Bulldogs|Bulldogs]])<br>342 points
|-
!bgcolor=#efefef|Top try scorer
|[[Amos Roberts]] ([[Penrith Panthers|Panthers]])<br>23 tries
|-
!bgcolor=#efefef|Top goal scorer
|[[Hazem El Masri]] ([[Canterbury Bulldogs|Bulldogs]])<br>139 goals
|-
!bgcolor=#efefef|Dally M Medalist
|[[Danny Buderus]] ([[Newcastle Knights|Knights]])
|}
|}
15 clubs contested the 7th [[National Rugby League|NRL]] season, with the [[Canterbury Bulldogs]] defeating the [[Sydney Roosters]] in the grand final and claiming their seventh premiership in club history. It was the Roosters' second grand final loss in a row.


===Advertising===
== Season Summary ==
In 2004 the NRL and their advertising agency MJW Hakuhodo continued with their use of the [[Hoodoo Gurus]]' 1987 hit "What's My Scene" with reworked lyrics as "That's My Team".


In addition to the big 60-second season launch TV commercial, three shorter executions were produced: one targeting young men, another targeting women and one aimed at families. In a year where sexual assault allegations damaged perceptions and the reputation of the code, retaining female fans was seen as a massive challenge.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bandt.com.au/news/f1/0c01e3f1.asp |title=B&T magazine article 2004 |access-date=5 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926222814/http://www.bandt.com.au/news/f1/0c01e3f1.asp |archive-date=26 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The beginning of the season was largely overshadowed with several [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Bulldogs]] players questioned by police in relation to an alleged rape of a 20-year old [[Coffs Harbour]] woman. An independent investigator, former New South Wales chief of detectives, would later fail to find any evidence of misconduct on behalf of the players, and no charges were pressed.


===Statistics and records===
It would not be the last unsavoury headline for rugby league in 2004, with a crowd indicident at a Bulldogs-[[Sydney Roosters|Roosters]] game on [[March 26]], whilst two [[New South Wales]] [[State of Origin]] players were stood down from the squad on [[May 21]] for unprofessional conduct.
*[[Anthony Minichiello]] ran 4,590 metres with the ball in 2004, more than any other player in the competition.<ref>{{cite news|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|title=Gallen set to smash record|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gallen-set-to-smash-record-20120505-1y5lo.html|access-date=7 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=6 May 2012}}</ref>
*[[Hazem El Masri]]'s tally of 342 points from 2004 still stands as the individual record for most points scored in a season in Australian club rugby league history.
*The [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]'s club record for their biggest comeback was set at 24 points when they came from 34–10 down with only 25 minutes remaining to win 36–34 against the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]].
*The Brisbane Broncos' 10–0 loss to the Cowboys was their first ever against the Townsville-based club, and the first time they had been held scoreless in Queensland.
*The [[Wests Tigers]] were held scoreless in consecutive weeks (rounds 15 and 16), those two rounds, the Tigers conceded 50+ points, a 50–0 loss to [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] in round 15 and a 56–0 loss to the [[Sydney Roosters]] in round 16. Also the Tigers were held scoreless twice against the Roosters, the other time, a 22–0 scoreline in round 9.
*The [[North Queensland Cowboys]]' round 25 clash against the [[Wests Tigers]] was their first match broadcast by the [[Nine Network]] since round 1, 1995.


===Ladder===
Several players and coaches also made the headlines for the wrong reasons. [[Jamie Lyon]] walked out on the [[Parramatta]] club after the first round citing burnout and dissatisfaction with living in [[Sydney]], and would later be linked with a possible move to [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles|Manly]] in [[2006]]. [[Daniel Anderson (rugby league)|Daniel Anderson]] and [[Paul Langmack]] would have their contracts terminated at the [[New Zealand Warriors]] and [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] respectively.
{{nrl2004ladder}}
{{Nrl2004ladderprogression}}


==Finals series==
[[Andrew Johns]] would be injured in [[Newcastle Knights|Newcastle's]] third game of the season against Parramatta, and subsequently miss the remainder season. The Knights missed the finals of the NRL for the first time since [[1996]].
To decide the grand finalists from the top eight finishing teams, the NRL adopts the [[McIntyre final eight system]].


2004 was also notable for the emergence of players [[Sonny Bill Williams]] (Canterbury) and [[Karmichael Hunt]] ([[Brisbane Broncos]]), and their performances, mature beyond their years, would be critical to the fortunes of their clubs. The [[North Queensland Cowboys]] qualified for the finals for the first time in their ten-year history, and shocked everybody by finishing just one game short of the grand final. During the finals, they won their first ever game against Queensland rivals, Brisbane, thus ending the career of Broncos stalwart [[Gorden Tallis]]. Also retiring in 2004 were [[Brad Fittler]], [[Ryan Girdler]] (Penrith), [[Kevin Campion]] (North Queensland), [[Scott Sattler]] ([[Wests Tigers]]) and [[Robbie O'Davis]] (Newcastle).
The [[North Queensland Cowboys]] qualified for the finals for the first time in their ten-year history, and shocked everybody by finishing just one game short of the grand final. During the finals, they won their first ever game against Queensland rivals Brisbane, thus ending the career of Brisbane stalwart [[Gorden Tallis]]. Also retiring after the 2004 finals series were [[Brad Fittler]], [[Ryan Girdler]] and [[Kevin Campion (rugby league)|Kevin Campion]].


[[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] almost capped a remarkable comeback when they trailed 24–0 only after half an hour of play to come back to only lose 31–30 against the [[Penrith Panthers]] in the first Qualifying Final. In doing so St. George Illawarra became the first team to finish fifth to bow out after the first week of the finals, giving Penrith a home preliminary final; despite leading 8–4 at halftime in their preliminary final against Canterbury, they lost 30–14, thus ending their premiership defence.
Canterbury won a dramatic grand final against the Sydney Roosters 16-13, with [[Willie Mason]] winning the [[Clive Churchill Medal]].


Another notable game was the seventh-placed [[North Queensland Cowboys]] reaching the finals for the first time and upsetting the second-placed and competition favourites the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] 30–22 in the 3rd qualifying final. North Queensland also defeated the [[Brisbane Broncos]] for the first time ever during the semi-finals but were unable to reach the grand final when they lost to the [[Sydney Roosters]] in the Preliminary Final.
== Competition Ladder ==

<center>
The North Queensland vs Brisbane semi-final was originally fixtured to be played at [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Aussie Stadium]], however, at the behest of both clubs, and in accordance with Aussie Stadium management, the [[National Rugby League|NRL]] agreed to move the game to [[Willows Sports Complex|Dairy Farmers Stadium]] in Townsville.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-09-13/nrl-confirms-townsville-final/2043508|title=NRL confirms Townsville final|publisher=ABC News ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]])|date=13 September 2004|access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref> North Queensland won the game 10–0, giving them their first ever win over Brisbane and eliminating from the finals in the process. The game was Broncos' captain and club legend [[Gorden Tallis]]' last, who coincidentally was born and raised in Townsville.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-09-18/cowboys-one-win-away-from-grand-final/554666|title=Cowboys one win away from grand final|publisher=ABC News ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]])|first=Katie|last=Franklin|date=18 September 2004|access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref>
{| style=border-collapse:collapse border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5

|- align=center bgcolor=#efefef
The [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] claimed their 8th premiership title by beating the [[Sydney Roosters]] in the grand final.
! width=20|
{| border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:100%;"
! width=220 |Team
|- style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! width=20|Pld
! rowspan="2" style="width:21%;"|Home
! width=20|W
! rowspan="2" style="width:6%;"|Score
! width=20|D
! rowspan="2" style="width:21%;"|Away
! width=20|L
!colspan=6|Match Information
! width=20|B
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! width=20|F
! width=20|A
!width=17%|Date and Time
! width=25|P/D
!width=17%|Venue
! width=20|Pts
!width=11%|Referee
!width=7%|Crowd
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|- style="background:#d0e7ff;"
| '''1''' || align="left"| [[Image:Sydneyroosters.jpg|20x20px]] [[Sydney Roosters]]|| 24 || 19 || 0 || 5 || 2 || 710 || 368 || 342 || '''42'''
| colspan=7 | '''Qualifying Finals'''
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
| '''2''' || align="left"| [[Image:Canterburybulldogs.jpg|20x20px]] [[Canterbury Bulldogs]] || 24 || 19 || 0 || 5 || 2 || 760 || 491 || 269 || '''42'''
|align=left | [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|'''31''' – 30
| '''3''' || align="left"| [[Image:Brisbane_2000.jpg|20x20px]] [[Brisbane Broncos]] || 24 || 16 || 1 || 7 || 2 || 602 || 533 || 69 || '''37'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|10 September 2004
| '''4''' || align="left"| [[Image:Pentrithpanthers.jpg|20x20px]] [[Penrith Panthers]] || 24 || 15 || 0 || 9 || 2 || 672 || 567 || 105 || '''34'''
|[[Penrith Stadium|Penrith Football Stadium]]
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|[[Sean Hampstead]]
| '''5''' || align="left"| [[Image:Stgidragons.jpg|20x20px]] [[St. George-Illawarra Dragons|St George Illawarra Dragons]] || 24 || 14 || 0 || 10 || 2 || 624 || 415 || 209 || '''32'''
|21,963
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
| '''6''' || align="left"| [[Image:Melbournestorm.jpg|20x20px]] [[Melbourne Storm]] || 24 || 13 || 0 || 11 || 2 || 684 || 517 || 167 || '''30'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|14 – '''31'''
| '''7''' || align="left"| [[Image:Nqcowboys.png|20x20px]] [[North Queensland Cowboys]] || 24 || 12 || 1 || 11 || 2 || 526 || 514 || 12 || '''29'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
|11 September 2004
| '''8''' || align="left"| [[Image:Canberraraiders.jpg|20x20px]] [[Canberra Raiders]] || 24 || 11 || 0 || 13 || 2 || 554 || 613 || -59 || '''26'''
|[[Lang Park|Suncorp Stadium]]
|- align=center style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|[[Steve Clark (referee)|Steve Clark]]
| 9 || align="left"| [[Image:Westsigers.jpg|20x20px]] [[Wests Tigers]] || 24 || 10 || 0 || 14 || 2 || 509 || 534 || -25 || '''24'''
|31,100
|- align=center style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
| 10 || align="left"| [[Image:Newcastle_Knights.jpg|20x20px]] [[Newcastle Knights]] || 24 || 10 || 0 || 14 || 2 || 516 || 617 || -101 || '''24'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
|- align=center style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|22 – '''30'''
| 11 || align="left"| [[Image:Cronullasharks.jpg|20x20px]] [[Cronulla Sharks]] || 24 || 10 || 0 || 14 || 2 || 528 || 645 || -117 || '''24'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|- align=center style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|11 September 2004
| 12 || align="left"| [[Image:Parraeels.jpg|20x20px]] [[Parramatta Eels]] || 24 || 9 || 0 || 15 || 2 || 517 || 626 || -109 || '''22'''
|[[Stadium Australia|Telstra Stadium]]
|- align=center style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|[[Tim Mander]]
| 13 || align="left"| [[Image:Mnlywarringah.jpg|20x20px]] [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]] || 24 || 9 || 0 || 15 || 2 || 615 || 754 || -139 || '''22'''
|18,371
|- align=center style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
| 14 || align="left"| [[Image:Nzwarriorslogo.jpg|20x20px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]] || 24 || 6 || 0 || 18 || 2 || 427 || 693 || -266 || '''16'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
|- align=center style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|'''38''' – 12
| 15 || align="left"| [[Image:Southslogo.jpg|20x20px]] [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] || 24 || 5 || 2 || 17 || 2 || 455 || 812 || -357 || '''16'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Canberra}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
|12 September 2004
|[[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Aussie Stadium]]
|[[Paul Simpkins]]
|18,375
|- style="background:#d0e7ff;"
| colspan=7 | '''Semi-finals'''
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|'''10''' – 0
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
|18 September 2004
|[[Willows Sports Complex|Dairy Farmers Stadium]]¹
|[[Tim Mander]]
|24,989
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
|'''43''' – 18
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
|19 September 2004
|[[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Aussie Stadium]]
|[[Paul Simpkins]]
|23,750
|- style="background:#d0e7ff;"
| colspan=7 | '''Preliminary Finals'''
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
|14 – '''30'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
|25 September 2004
|[[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Aussie Stadium]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|37,868
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
|'''19''' – 16
|align=left | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|26 September 2004
|[[Stadium Australia|Telstra Stadium]]
|[[Paul Simpkins]]
|43,048
|}
|}
</center>


¹ Game relocated to Dairy Farmers Stadium, the Cowboys' home ground, from Aussie Stadium. Cowboys designated home team despite the Broncos finishing higher on the table.
== 2004 Finals Series ==


===Finals Chart===
<center>
{{8McIntyre
{| style=border-collapse:collapse border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=5

|- align=center bgcolor=#efefef
| RD1-team1={{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|size=16}} '''Sydney'''
! width=20|
| RD1-score1='''38'''
! width=190 |Home¹
| RD1-team8={{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} St. George Illawarra
! width=13|
| RD1-score8=30
! width=190 |Away¹

! width=13|
| RD1-team2={{leagueicon|Canberra|size=16}} Canberra
! width=130 |Referee
| RD1-score2=12
! width=230 |Venue
| RD1-team7=[[File:Panthers_colours.svg|16px]] '''Penrith'''
! width=65|Crowd
| RD1-score7='''31'''
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"

| '''QF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Pentrithpanthers.jpg|20x20px]] [[Penrith Panthers|Penrith]]|| '''31''' || align="left"|[[Image:Stgidragons.jpg|20x20px]] [[St. George-Illawarra Dragons|St Geo. Illa.]] || '''30''' || S.Hampstead || Penrith Stadium || 21 963
| RD1-team3={{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} Canterbury
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
| RD1-score3=22
| '''QF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Brisbane_2000.jpg|20x20px]] [[Brisbane Broncos|Brisbane]] || '''14''' || align="left"|[[Image:Melbournestorm.jpg|20x20px]] [[Melbourne Storm|Melbourne]] || '''31''' ||S.Clark || Suncorp Stadium || 31 100
| RD1-team6={{leagueicon|Melbourne|size=16}} '''Melbourne'''
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
| RD1-score6='''31'''
| '''QF''' || align="left"|[[Image:Canterburybulldogs.jpg|20x20px]] [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury]] || '''22''' || align="left"| [[Image:Nqcowboys.png|20x20px]] [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Qld]] || '''30''' || T.Mander || Telstra Stadium || 18 371

|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
| RD1-team4={{leagueicon|North Queensland|size=16}} '''North Queensland'''
| '''QF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Sydneyroosters.jpg|20x20px]] [[Sydney Roosters|Syd.Roosters]] || '''38''' || align="left"|[[Image:Canberraraiders.jpg|20x20px]] [[Canberra Raiders|Canberra]] || '''12''' || P.Simpkins || Aussie Stadium || 18 375
| RD1-score4='''30'''
|- align=center style="background:#d0e6ff;"
| RD1-team5={{leagueicon|Brisbane|size=16}} Brisbane
| '''SF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Nqcowboys.png|20x20px]] [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Qld]] || '''10''' || align="left"|[[Image:Brisbane_2000.jpg|20x20px]] [[Brisbane Broncos|Brisbane]] || '''0''' || T.Mander || Dairy Farmers Stadium² || 24 989
| RD1-score5=14
|- align=center style="background:#d0e6ff;"

| '''SF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Canterburybulldogs.jpg|20x20px]] [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury]] || '''43''' || align="left"|[[Image:Melbournestorm.jpg|20x20px]] [[Melbourne Storm|Melbourne]] || '''18''' || P.Simpkins || Aussie Stadium || 23 750
| RD2-team1={{leagueicon|North Queensland|size=16}} '''North Queensland'''
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
| RD2-score1='''10'''
| '''PF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Pentrithpanthers.jpg|20x20px]] [[Penrith Panthers|Penrith]] || '''14''' || align="left"|[[Image:Canterburybulldogs.jpg|20x20px]] [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury]] || '''30''' || T.Mander || Aussie Stadium || 37 868
| RD2-team2={{leagueicon|Brisbane|size=16}} Brisbane
|- align=center style="background:#ccffcc;"
| RD2-score2=0
| '''PF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Sydneyroosters.jpg|20x20px]] [[Sydney Roosters|Syd.Roosters]] || '''19''' || align="left"|[[Image:Nqcowboys.png|20x20px]] [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Qld]] || '''16''' || P.Simpkins || Telstra Stadium || 43 048

|- align=center style="background:#d0e6ff;"
| RD2-team3={{leagueicon|Melbourne|size=16}} Melbourne
| '''GF''' || align="left"| [[Image:Sydneyroosters.jpg|20x20px]] [[Sydney Roosters|Syd.Roosters]] || '''13''' || align="left"|[[Image:Canterburybulldogs.jpg|20x20px]] [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury]] || '''16''' || T.Mander || Telstra Stadium || 82 127
| RD2-score3=18
| RD2-team4={{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} '''Canterbury'''
| RD2-score4='''43'''

| RD3-team1={{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|size=16}} '''Sydney'''
| RD3-score1='''19'''
| RD3-team2={{leagueicon|North Queensland|size=16}} North Queensland
| RD3-score2=16
| RD3-team3=[[File:Panthers_colours.svg|16px]] Penrith
| RD3-score3=14
| RD3-team4={{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} '''Canterbury'''
| RD3-score4='''30'''

| RD4-team1={{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|size=16}} Sydney
| RD4-score1=13
| RD4-team2={{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} '''Canterbury'''
| RD4-score2='''16'''
}}

==Grand Final==
{{main article|2004 NRL Grand Final}}
{{#section:2004 NRL Grand Final|scoreboard}}

==Player statistics==
The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 26.
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Top 5 point scorers'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!width=50 |Points
!width=200 |Player
!width=30 |Tries
!width=30 |Goals
!width=30 |Field Goals
|-
!288
|{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Hazem El Masri]]
|align=center|11
|align=center|122
|align=center|0
|-
!208
|{{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[Josh Hannay]]
|align=center|8
|align=center|88
|align=center|0
|-
!192
|{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Brett Hodgson]]
|align=center|11
|align=center|74
|align=center|0
|-
!180
|{{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Andrew Walker (rugby)|Andrew Walker]]
|align=center|5
|align=center|80
|align=center|0
|-
!162
|{{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Michael De Vere]]
|align=center|8
|align=center|65
|align=center|0
|}
'''Top 5 try scorers'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!width=50 |Tries
!width=200 |Player
|-
!23
|[[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Amos Roberts]]
|-
!18
|{{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Scott Donald]]
|-
!17
|{{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Ryan Cross]]
|-
!17
|{{leagueicon|St. George}} [[Matt Cooper (rugby league)|Matt Cooper]]
|-
!16
|{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Willie Tonga]]
|}
{{col-2}}
'''Top 5 goal scorers'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
!width=50 |Goals
!width=200 |Player
|-
!122
|{{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Hazem El Masri]]
|-
!88
|{{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[Josh Hannay]]
|-
!80
|{{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Andrew Walker (rugby)|Andrew Walker]]
|-
!74
|{{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Brett Hodgson]]
|-
!65
|{{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Michael De Vere]]
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
</center>


==2004 Transfers==
¹ Home field advantage applies only for quarter-finals, with remaining games played at neutral venues, unless otherwise notified. The home team in each instance is the higher ranked team on the competition table.


===Players===
² Game relocated to Dairy Farmers Stadium, the Cowboys' home ground, from Aussie Stadium. Cowboys designated home team despite the Broncos finishing higher on the table.


{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:700px;"
== See also ==
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
* [[National Rugby League]]
!Player
* [[2004 NRL Finals Series]]
!2003 Club
!2004 Club
|-
|data-sort-value="Gee, Andrew"| [[Andrew Gee (rugby league)|Andrew Gee]]
| {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Prince, Scott"| [[Scott Prince]]
| {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Swain, Richard"| [[Richard Swain]]
| {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| {{leagueicon|Hull FC}} [[Super League]]: [[Hull F.C.]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Jensen, Rod"| [[Rod Jensen]]
| {{leagueicon|Canberra}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Lolesi, Jamahl"| [[Jamahl Lolesi]]
| {{leagueicon|Canberra}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
| {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Monaghan, Michael"| [[Michael Monaghan]]
| {{leagueicon|Canberra}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Rutgerson, Sean"| [[Sean Rutgerson]]
| {{leagueicon|Canberra}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
| {{leagueicon|Salford City}} [[Super League]]: [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Marteene, Shane"| [[Shane Marteene]]
| {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Norton, Travis"| [[Travis Norton]]
| {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Reardon, Steve"| [[Steve Reardon]]
| {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Vagana, Nigel"| [[Nigel Vagana]]
| {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
| {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Cannings, Aaron"| [[Aaron Cannings]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Dorn, Luke"| [[Luke Dorn]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Jensen, Tony"| [[Tony Jensen]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Lima, Danny"| [[Danny Lima]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|Warrington}} [[Super League]]: [[Warrington Wolves]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Long, Nathan"| [[Nathan Long (rugby league)|Nathan Long]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
|-
|data-sort-value="MacDougall, Ben"| [[Ben MacDougall]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
|-
|data-sort-value="McGuinness, Kevin"| [[Kevin McGuinness]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|Salford City}} [[Super League]]: [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Shipway, Mark"| [[Mark Shipway]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| {{leagueicon|Salford City}} [[Super League]]: [[Salford Red Devils|Salford City Reds]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Bai, Marcus"| [[Marcus Bai]]
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
| {{leagueicon|Leeds}} [[Super League]]: [[Leeds Rhinos]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Langi, Junior"| [[Junior Langi]]
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Moule, Aaron"| [[Aaron Moule]]
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
| {{leagueicon|Widnes}} [[Super League]]: [[Widnes Vikings]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Ross, Robbie"| [[Robbie Ross (rugby league)|Robbie Ross]]
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Sargent, Mitchell"| [[Mitchell Sargent]]
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|-
|data-sort-value="MacDougall, Adam"| [[Adam MacDougall]]
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} [[Newcastle Knights]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Maddison, Tim"| [[Tim Maddison]]
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} [[Newcastle Knights]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Rudder, Sean"| [[Sean Rudder]]
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} [[Newcastle Knights]]
| {{leagueicon|Castleford}} [[Super League]]: [[Castleford Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Carlaw, John"| [[John Carlaw]]
| [[File:New_Zealand_colours.svg|23px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Lauiti'iti, Ali"| [[Ali Lauiti'iti]]
| [[File:New_Zealand_colours.svg|23px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]]
| {{leagueicon|Leeds}} [[Super League]]: [[Leeds Rhinos]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Swann, Logan"| [[Logan Swann]]
| [[File:New_Zealand_colours.svg|23px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]]
| {{leagueicon|Bradford}} [[Super League]]: [[Bradford Bulls]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Buttigieg, John"| [[John Buttigieg (rugby league)|John Buttigieg]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Dezolt, Paul"| [[Paul Dezolt]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
| [[File:New_Zealand_colours.svg|23px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]]
|-
|data-sort-value="McNicholas, Paul"| [[Paul McNicholas (rugby league)|Paul McNicholas]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
| {{leagueicon|Hull FC}} [[Super League]]: [[Hull F.C.]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Muckert, Chris"| [[Chris Muckert]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Muspratt, Shane"| [[Shane Muspratt]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Thompson, David"| [[David Thompson (rugby league, born 1978)|David Thompson]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Chan, Alex"| [[Alex Chan (rugby league)|Alex Chan]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Dunley, Shayne"| [[Shayne Dunley]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Green, Paul"| [[Paul Green (rugby league)|Paul Green]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Heckenberg, Daniel"| [[Daniel Heckenberg]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Hodgson, Brett"| [[Brett Hodgson]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Moodie, Jason"| [[Jason Moodie]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Richards, Pat"| [[Pat Richards]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Solomona, David"| [[David Solomona]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| {{leagueicon|Wakefield}} [[Super League]]: [[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Treacy, Darren"| [[Darren Treacy (rugby league)|Darren Treacy]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Bell, Geoff"| [[Geoff Bell (rugby league)|Geoff Bell]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Elford, Shane"| [[Shane Elford]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Hicks, Chris"| [[Chris Hicks (rugby league)|Chris Hicks]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Roarty, Ben"| [[Ben Roarty]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
| {{leagueicon|Huddersfield}} [[Super League]]: [[Huddersfield Giants]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Sattler, Scott"| [[Scott Sattler]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Ward, Colin"| [[Colin Ward (rugby league)|Colin Ward]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Fitzgerald, Jamie"| [[Jamie Fitzgerald (rugby league)|Jamie Fitzgerald]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} [[Newcastle Knights]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Hart, Andrew"| [[Andrew Hart (rugby league)|Andrew Hart]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
| {{leagueicon|London}} [[Super League]]: [[London Broncos]]
|-
|data-sort-value="MacGillivray, Duncan"| [[Duncan MacGillivray]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
| {{leagueicon|Wakefield}} [[Super League]]: [[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]]
|-
|data-sort-value="McKinnon, Wade"| [[Wade McKinnon]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Puletua, Frank"| [[Frank Puletua]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Richardson, Russell"| [[Russell Richardson]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle}} [[Newcastle Knights]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Cross, John"| [[John Cross (rugby league)|John Cross]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Leikvoll, Chris"| [[Chris Leikvoll]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
| {{leagueicon|Warrington}} [[Super League]]: [[Warrington Wolves]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Roberts, Amos"| [[Amos Roberts]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
| [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Saleh, Hassan"| [[Hassan Saleh]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
| {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Stapleton, Craig"| [[Craig Stapleton (rugby league)|Craig Stapleton]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Grothe, Eric"| [[Eric Grothe Jr.]]
| {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Lomu, Andrew"| [[Andrew Lomu]]
| {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
| {{leagueicon|Cronulla}} [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Payten, Todd"| [[Todd Payten]]
| {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Beckett, Robbie"| [[Robbie Beckett (rugby league)|Robbie Beckett]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| Retirement
|-
|data-sort-value="Bradley-Qalilawa, Nick"| [[Nick Bradley-Qalilawa]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Hill, Terry"| [[Terry Hill]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| N/A
|-
|data-sort-value="Manu, Willie"| [[Willie Manu]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
|-
|data-sort-value="O'Donnell, Luke"| [[Luke O'Donnell]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Pearson, Corey"| [[Corey Pearson]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Trindall, Steve"| [[Steve Trindall]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| {{leagueicon|London}} [[Super League]]: [[London Broncos]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Withers, Lincoln"| [[Lincoln Withers]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Lennon, Mark"| [[Mark Lennon]]
| {{leagueicon|Castleford}} [[Super League]]: [[Castleford Tigers]]
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Frew, Andrew"| [[Andrew Frew]]
| {{leagueicon|Halifax}} [[Super League]]: [[Halifax Panthers|Halifax]]
| {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Logan, Scott"| [[Scott Logan (rugby league)|Scott Logan]]
| {{leagueicon|Hull FC}} [[Super League]]: [[Hull F.C.]]
| {{leagueicon|South Sydney}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Martin, Tony"| [[Tony Martin (rugby league)|Tony Martin]]
| {{leagueicon|London}} [[Super League]]: [[London Broncos]]
| [[File:New_Zealand_colours.svg|23px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Thorman, Chris"| [[Chris Thorman]]
| {{leagueicon|London}} [[Super League]]: [[London Broncos]]
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Smith, Darren"| [[Darren Smith (rugby league)|Darren Smith]]
| {{leagueicon|St. Helens}} [[Super League]]: [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
| {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Graham, Nick"| [[Nick Graham (rugby league)|Nick Graham]]
| {{leagueicon|Wigan}} [[Super League]]: [[Wigan Warriors]]
| {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|data-sort-value="Walker, Andrew"| [[Andrew Walker (rugby)|Andrew Walker]]
| [[Brumbies|ACT Brumbies]] ([[Super Rugby|Super 12]])
| {{leagueicon|Manly}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|}

==Sources and Footnotes==
<!--This article uses the Cite.php citation mechanism. If you would like more information on how to add references to this article, please see [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite/Cite.php] -->
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.nrl.com NRL official website]
* [http://www.nrl.com NRL official website]
* [http://www.nrl.has.it Rugby League Tables and Statistics


{{Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs}}
{{start box}}
{{National Rugby League seasons}}
{{succession box |
{{2004 in rugby league}}
before = [[National Rugby League season 2003|2003 NRL season]] |
after = [[National Rugby League season 2005|2005 NRL season]] |
title = [[National Rugby League]] |
years = 2004 |
}}
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[[Category:National_Rugby_League]]


[[Category:2004 in sports|NRL]]
[[Category:2004 NRL season| ]]

Latest revision as of 00:30, 8 November 2024

2004 National Rugby League
Teams15
Premiers Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (8th title)
Minor premiers Sydney Roosters (16th title)
Matches played189
Points scored9,086
Average attendance15,929
Attendance3,010,639
Top points scorer(s) Hazem El Masri (342)
Dally M Medal Danny Buderus
Top try-scorer(s) Amos Roberts (23)
← 2003
2005 →

The 2004 NRL season (also known as the 2004 Telstra Premiership due to sponsorship from Telstra) was the 97th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the seventh run by the National Rugby League. Fifteen clubs competed during the regular season before the top eight finishing teams contested the finals series. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs defeated the Sydney Roosters in the 2004 NRL grand final and in doing so claimed their eighth premiership.

Pre-season

[edit]

The beginning of the season was largely overshadowed with several Bulldogs players questioned by police in relation to an alleged rape of a 20-year-old Coffs Harbour woman.[1] An independent investigator, former New South Wales chief of detectives, would later fail to find any evidence of misconduct on behalf of the players, and no charges were pressed.

The 2004 World Club Challenge was held on Friday, 13 February 2004, at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield, England. The game was contested by Bradford Bulls and Penrith Panthers and won by the home team.

The salary cap for the 2004 season was A$3.25 million per club for their 25 highest-paid players.[2]

Regular season

[edit]

Due to a perceived emphasis in the game on defence, NRL referees were instructed to call out "surrender tackle" this season when ball carriers submit at the ruck, signalling the defence to slow down the tackle in order for defenders to reset.[3]

The first round of the season began on Friday, 12 March with 2003 champions, the Penrith Panthers losing 14–20 to the Newcastle Knights before a crowd of 19,936 at Penrith Stadium.[4]

During a match between the Broncos and the Tigers, the Broncos fielded 14 men at one stage of the Campbelltown Stadium match. In the 60th minute, Brisbane's Shane Webcke knocked out by Tiger Bryce Gibbs. Corey Parker was brought onto the ground while Webcke was still being assisted off. Parker immediately scored off a Darren Lockyer pass and started a Broncos revival (they trailed 24–8 at halftime) which later saw them win 24–32. But, after the fourteenth man was investigated, the Broncos were stripped of the two competition points,[5] which were reinstated weeks later.

A significant comeback was seen in a round 25 clash between the St George Dragons and Manly. Trailing 34–10 after 53 minutes, St. George Illawarra came back to win the match 36–34. This match stood in second-place in the rankings of the biggest comebacks in Australian premiership history.

Several players and coaches also made the headlines for the wrong reasons. Jamie Lyon walked out on the Parramatta club after the first round citing burnout and dissatisfaction with living in Sydney, and would later move to the UK for a successful Super League career. Coaches Daniel Anderson and Paul Langmack would have their contracts terminated at the New Zealand Warriors and South Sydney Rabbitohs respectively.

Andrew Johns was injured in Newcastle's third game of the season against Parramatta, and subsequently missed the remainder of the season. The Knights missed the finals of the NRL for the first time since 1996.

2004 was also notable for the emergence of teenage players Sonny Bill Williams (Bulldogs) and Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane Broncos), and their performances, mature beyond their years, would be critical to the fortunes of their clubs.

A quirk of the draw meant that the Sydney Roosters did not play a premiership match in Queensland during the season, while there was only one Queensland derby contested during the regular season, in round six in Townsville.[6]

The grand finals:

  • Canterbury Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters (NRL)
  • St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters (NSW Cup)
  • Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters (NSW Jersey Flegg Cup)

The winners in all grades were:

  • Canterbury Bulldogs (Seniors Grade)
  • Sydney Roosters (NSW Cup)
  • Sydney Roosters (NSW Jersey Flegg Cup)

The test match

  • Australia vs New Zealand

The State Of Origin Series

  • Queensland vs New South Wales

Teams

[edit]

The line-up of fifteen teams for the 2004 premiership remained unchanged from the previous season.

Brisbane Broncos
17th season
Ground: Suncorp Stadium
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Captain: Gorden Tallis 		Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
70th season
Ground: Sydney Showground & Telstra Stadium
Coach: Steve Folkes
Captain: Steve Price 		Canberra Raiders
23rd season
Ground: Canberra Stadium
Coach: Matthew Elliott
Captain: Simon Woolford 		Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
38th season
Ground: Toyota Stadium
Coach: Stuart Raper
Captain: Brett Kimmorley 		Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
55th season
Ground: Brookvale Oval
Coach: Des Hasler
Captain: Steve Menzies
Melbourne Storm
7th season
Ground Olympic Park
Coach: Craig Bellamy
Captain: Stephen Kearney 		Newcastle Knights
17th season
Ground: EnergyAustralia Stadium
Coach: Michael Hagan
Captain: Andrew Johns 		New Zealand Warriors
10th season
Ground: Ericsson Stadium
Coach: Daniel Anderson → Tony Kemp
Captain: Stacey Jones 		North Queensland Cowboys
10th season
Ground: Dairy Farmers Stadium
Coach: Graham Murray
Captain: Travis Norton 		Parramatta Eels
58th season
Ground: Parramatta Stadium
Coach: Brian Smith
Captain: Nathan Cayless
Penrith Panthers
38th season
Ground: Penrith Football Stadium
Coach: John Lang
Captain: Craig Gower 		South Sydney Rabbitohs
95th season
Ground: Aussie Stadium
Coach: Paul Langmack → Arthur Kitinas
Captain: Bryan Fletcher 		St. George Illawarra Dragons
6th season
Ground: OKI Jubilee Stadium & WIN Stadium
Coach: Nathan Brown
Captain: Trent Barrett 		Sydney Roosters
97th season
Ground: Aussie Stadium
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Captain: Brad Fittler 		Wests Tigers
5th season
Ground: Campbelltown Stadium & Leichhardt Oval
Coach: Tim Sheens
Captain: Scott Sattler & Darren Senter

Advertising

[edit]

In 2004 the NRL and their advertising agency MJW Hakuhodo continued with their use of the Hoodoo Gurus' 1987 hit "What's My Scene" with reworked lyrics as "That's My Team".

In addition to the big 60-second season launch TV commercial, three shorter executions were produced: one targeting young men, another targeting women and one aimed at families. In a year where sexual assault allegations damaged perceptions and the reputation of the code, retaining female fans was seen as a massive challenge.[7]

Statistics and records

[edit]
  • Anthony Minichiello ran 4,590 metres with the ball in 2004, more than any other player in the competition.[8]
  • Hazem El Masri's tally of 342 points from 2004 still stands as the individual record for most points scored in a season in Australian club rugby league history.
  • The St. George Illawarra Dragons's club record for their biggest comeback was set at 24 points when they came from 34–10 down with only 25 minutes remaining to win 36–34 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
  • The Brisbane Broncos' 10–0 loss to the Cowboys was their first ever against the Townsville-based club, and the first time they had been held scoreless in Queensland.
  • The Wests Tigers were held scoreless in consecutive weeks (rounds 15 and 16), those two rounds, the Tigers conceded 50+ points, a 50–0 loss to St. George Illawarra Dragons in round 15 and a 56–0 loss to the Sydney Roosters in round 16. Also the Tigers were held scoreless twice against the Roosters, the other time, a 22–0 scoreline in round 9.
  • The North Queensland Cowboys' round 25 clash against the Wests Tigers was their first match broadcast by the Nine Network since round 1, 1995.

Ladder

[edit]
2004 NRL season
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Sydney Roosters 24 19 0 5 2 710 368 +342 42
2 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (P) 24 19 0 5 2 760 491 +269 42
3 Brisbane Broncos 24 16 1 7 2 602 533 +69 37
4 Penrith Panthers 24 15 0 9 2 672 567 +105 34
5 St George Illawarra Dragons 24 14 0 10 2 624 415 +209 32
6 Melbourne Storm 24 13 0 11 2 684 517 +167 30
7 North Queensland Cowboys 24 12 1 11 2 526 514 +12 29
8 Canberra Raiders 24 11 0 13 2 554 613 −59 26
9 Wests Tigers 24 10 0 14 2 509 534 −25 24
10 Newcastle Knights 24 10 0 14 2 516 617 −101 24
11 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24 10 0 14 2 528 645 −117 24
12 Parramatta Eels 24 9 0 15 2 517 626 −109 22
13 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24 9 0 15 2 615 754 −139 22
14 New Zealand Warriors 24 6 0 18 2 427 693 −266 16
15 South Sydney Rabbitohs 24 5 2 17 2 455 812 −357 16

Ladder Progression

[edit]
  • Numbers highlighted in green indicate that the team finished the round inside the top 8.
  • Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished first on the ladder in that round.
  • Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished last place on the ladder in that round.
  • Underlined numbers indicate that the team had a bye during that round.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
1 Sydney 2 4 6 6 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 20 22 24 26 28 28 30 32 34 34 36 38 40 42
2 Bulldogs 2 4 4 6 8 10 12 14 14 16 16 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 38 40 42
3 Brisbane 2 2 4 6 8 10 12 12 14 14 16 18 18 20 22 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 34 36 37 37
4 Penrith 0 2 4 6 8 8 8 10 12 14 16 18 18 18 20 22 22 22 24 26 26 28 28 30 32 34
5 St. George-Illawarra 0 2 2 4 6 8 8 10 10 10 12 12 12 14 16 18 20 20 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34
6 Melbourne 2 2 4 4 4 6 8 8 8 10 12 14 16 16 18 20 22 22 22 24 24 24 26 28 30 30
7 North Queensland 0 2 2 2 4 4 4 6 8 9 9 11 13 15 17 17 17 17 19 21 23 23 25 25 27 29
8 Canberra 2 2 4 6 8 8 10 10 10 10 10 12 12 14 14 16 18 20 20 22 22 22 22 22 24 26
9 Wests 2 2 2 4 4 6 8 8 8 10 12 14 14 16 16 16 16 16 18 18 20 22 24 24 24 24
10 Newcastle 2 4 4 4 6 6 6 8 10 12 14 14 14 14 14 16 16 18 18 18 20 22 22 22 22 24
11 Cronulla-Sutherland 0 0 2 2 2 4 6 6 8 8 10 12 14 14 14 16 18 20 20 20 20 22 22 24 24 24
12 Parramatta 0 2 4 4 6 8 8 8 10 10 10 10 12 14 14 14 14 16 16 16 16 18 20 22 22 22
13 Manly-Warringah 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 6 8 8 8 10 10 10 10 10 12 14 14 16 16 18 20 20 22
14 New Zealand 0 0 0 2 2 2 4 6 6 6 8 8 10 10 10 10 12 12 14 14 16 16 16 16 16 16
15 South Sydney 0 2 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 9 11 13 13 13 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 16 16


Finals series

[edit]

To decide the grand finalists from the top eight finishing teams, the NRL adopts the McIntyre final eight system.

The North Queensland Cowboys qualified for the finals for the first time in their ten-year history, and shocked everybody by finishing just one game short of the grand final. During the finals, they won their first ever game against Queensland rivals Brisbane, thus ending the career of Brisbane stalwart Gorden Tallis. Also retiring after the 2004 finals series were Brad Fittler, Ryan Girdler and Kevin Campion.

St. George Illawarra Dragons almost capped a remarkable comeback when they trailed 24–0 only after half an hour of play to come back to only lose 31–30 against the Penrith Panthers in the first Qualifying Final. In doing so St. George Illawarra became the first team to finish fifth to bow out after the first week of the finals, giving Penrith a home preliminary final; despite leading 8–4 at halftime in their preliminary final against Canterbury, they lost 30–14, thus ending their premiership defence.

Another notable game was the seventh-placed North Queensland Cowboys reaching the finals for the first time and upsetting the second-placed and competition favourites the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30–22 in the 3rd qualifying final. North Queensland also defeated the Brisbane Broncos for the first time ever during the semi-finals but were unable to reach the grand final when they lost to the Sydney Roosters in the Preliminary Final.

The North Queensland vs Brisbane semi-final was originally fixtured to be played at Aussie Stadium, however, at the behest of both clubs, and in accordance with Aussie Stadium management, the NRL agreed to move the game to Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville.[9] North Queensland won the game 10–0, giving them their first ever win over Brisbane and eliminating from the finals in the process. The game was Broncos' captain and club legend Gorden Tallis' last, who coincidentally was born and raised in Townsville.[10]

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs claimed their 8th premiership title by beating the Sydney Roosters in the grand final.

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time Venue Referee Crowd
Qualifying Finals
Penrith Panthers 31 – 30 St. George Illawarra Dragons 10 September 2004 Penrith Football Stadium Sean Hampstead 21,963
Brisbane Broncos 14 – 31 Melbourne Storm 11 September 2004 Suncorp Stadium Steve Clark 31,100
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 22 – 30 North Queensland Cowboys 11 September 2004 Telstra Stadium Tim Mander 18,371
Sydney Roosters 38 – 12 Canberra Raiders 12 September 2004 Aussie Stadium Paul Simpkins 18,375
Semi-finals
North Queensland Cowboys 10 – 0 Brisbane Broncos 18 September 2004 Dairy Farmers Stadium¹ Tim Mander 24,989
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 43 – 18 Melbourne Storm 19 September 2004 Aussie Stadium Paul Simpkins 23,750
Preliminary Finals
Penrith Panthers 14 – 30 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 25 September 2004 Aussie Stadium Tim Mander 37,868
Sydney Roosters 19 – 16 North Queensland Cowboys 26 September 2004 Telstra Stadium Paul Simpkins 43,048

¹ Game relocated to Dairy Farmers Stadium, the Cowboys' home ground, from Aussie Stadium. Cowboys designated home team despite the Broncos finishing higher on the table.

Finals Chart

[edit]
Qualifying finalsSemifinalsPreliminary finalsFinal
1 Sydney38
8 Canberra121W Sydney19
4W North Queensland10 North Queensland16
2 Canterbury222L Brisbane0
Sydney13
7 North Queensland30
Canterbury16
3 Brisbane142W Penrith14
6 Melbourne313W Melbourne18 Canterbury30
1L Canterbury43
4 Penrith31
5 St. George Illawarra30

Grand Final

[edit]
Main article: 2004 NRL Grand Final
2004 NRL Grand Final
Sunday, 3 October
19:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Sydney Roosters 13 – 16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Tries: 2
Walker rugby ball 14'
Minichiello rugby ball 35'
Goals: 2
Fitzgibbon rugby goalposts icon 15', 36' (2/2)
Field goals: 1
Finch rugby goalposts icon 34'
 1st: 13–6
2nd: 0–10
Report[11]
 Tries: 3
Utai rugby ball 23', 44'
El Masri rugby ball 53'
Goals: 2
El Masri rugby goalposts icon pen 29', 45' (2/4)
Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 82,127
Referee: Tim Mander
Touch judges: Steve Chiddy, Matt Cecchin
Clive Churchill Medal: Willie Mason (Canterbury)


Player statistics

[edit]

The following statistics are as of the conclusion of Round 26.

2004 Transfers

[edit]

Players

[edit]
Player 2003 Club 2004 Club
Andrew Gee Brisbane Broncos Retirement
Scott Prince Brisbane Broncos Wests Tigers
Richard Swain Brisbane Broncos Super League: Hull F.C.
Rod Jensen Canberra Raiders North Queensland Cowboys
Jamahl Lolesi Canberra Raiders Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Michael Monaghan Canberra Raiders Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Sean Rutgerson Canberra Raiders Super League: Salford City Reds
Shane Marteene Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Travis Norton Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs North Queensland Cowboys
Steve Reardon Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Retirement
Nigel Vagana Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Aaron Cannings Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Parramatta Eels
Luke Dorn Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Sydney Roosters
Tony Jensen Manly Warringah Sea Eagles St. George Illawarra Dragons
Danny Lima Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Super League: Warrington Wolves
Nathan Long Manly Warringah Sea Eagles St. George Illawarra Dragons
Ben MacDougall Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Melbourne Storm
Kevin McGuinness Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Super League: Salford City Reds
Mark Shipway Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Super League: Salford City Reds
Marcus Bai Melbourne Storm Super League: Leeds Rhinos
Junior Langi Melbourne Storm Parramatta Eels
Aaron Moule Melbourne Storm Super League: Widnes Vikings
Robbie Ross Melbourne Storm Retirement
Mitchell Sargent Melbourne Storm North Queensland Cowboys
Adam MacDougall Newcastle Knights South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tim Maddison Newcastle Knights Retirement
Sean Rudder Newcastle Knights Super League: Castleford Tigers
John Carlaw New Zealand Warriors St. George Illawarra Dragons
Ali Lauiti'iti New Zealand Warriors Super League: Leeds Rhinos
Logan Swann New Zealand Warriors Super League: Bradford Bulls
John Buttigieg North Queensland Cowboys Retirement
Paul Dezolt North Queensland Cowboys New Zealand Warriors
Paul McNicholas North Queensland Cowboys Super League: Hull F.C.
Chris Muckert North Queensland Cowboys Parramatta Eels
Shane Muspratt North Queensland Cowboys Parramatta Eels
David Thompson North Queensland Cowboys South Sydney Rabbitohs
Alex Chan Parramatta Eels Melbourne Storm
Shayne Dunley Parramatta Eels Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Paul Green Parramatta Eels Brisbane Broncos
Daniel Heckenberg Parramatta Eels Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Brett Hodgson Parramatta Eels Wests Tigers
Jason Moodie Parramatta Eels Wests Tigers
Pat Richards Parramatta Eels Wests Tigers
David Solomona Parramatta Eels Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Darren Treacy Parramatta Eels Retirement
Geoff Bell Penrith Panthers Retirement
Shane Elford Penrith Panthers Wests Tigers
Chris Hicks Penrith Panthers Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Ben Roarty Penrith Panthers Super League: Huddersfield Giants
Scott Sattler Penrith Panthers Wests Tigers
Colin Ward Penrith Panthers Retirement
Jamie Fitzgerald South Sydney Rabbitohs Newcastle Knights
Andrew Hart South Sydney Rabbitohs Super League: London Broncos
Duncan MacGillivray South Sydney Rabbitohs Super League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wade McKinnon South Sydney Rabbitohs Parramatta Eels
Frank Puletua South Sydney Rabbitohs Penrith Panthers
Russell Richardson South Sydney Rabbitohs Newcastle Knights
John Cross St. George Illawarra Dragons Retirement
Chris Leikvoll St. George Illawarra Dragons Super League: Warrington Wolves
Amos Roberts St. George Illawarra Dragons Penrith Panthers
Hassan Saleh St. George Illawarra Dragons Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Craig Stapleton St. George Illawarra Dragons Parramatta Eels
Eric Grothe Jr. Sydney Roosters Parramatta Eels
Andrew Lomu Sydney Roosters Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Todd Payten Sydney Roosters Wests Tigers
Robbie Beckett Wests Tigers Retirement
Nick Bradley-Qalilawa Wests Tigers Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Terry Hill Wests Tigers N/A
Willie Manu Wests Tigers South Sydney Rabbitohs
Luke O'Donnell Wests Tigers North Queensland Cowboys
Corey Pearson Wests Tigers Parramatta Eels
Steve Trindall Wests Tigers Super League: London Broncos
Lincoln Withers Wests Tigers St. George Illawarra Dragons
Mark Lennon Super League: Castleford Tigers Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Andrew Frew Super League: Halifax St. George Illawarra Dragons
Scott Logan Super League: Hull F.C. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tony Martin Super League: London Broncos New Zealand Warriors
Chris Thorman Super League: London Broncos Parramatta Eels
Darren Smith Super League: St. Helens Brisbane Broncos
Nick Graham Super League: Wigan Warriors Wests Tigers
Andrew Walker ACT Brumbies (Super 12) Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Sources and Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ abc.net.au (24 February 2004). "Bulldogs' accuser gives statement to police". ABC News. Australia: ABC. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  2. ^ "NRL salary cap guide | | ONE SPORT". tvnz.co.nz. 22 February 2006. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  3. ^ Masters, Roy (20 January 2005). "Attacking ploy beaten into submission". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  4. ^ Masters, Roy (13 March 2004). "Knights clean up as Penrith discovers success is a wet cake of soap". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  5. ^ Gould, Phil (4 April 2004). "Winning the war on error". The Sun-Herald. Australia: Fairfax. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
  6. ^ "NRL 2004 - Results". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  7. ^ "B&T magazine article 2004". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
  8. ^ Proszenko, Adrian (6 May 2012). "Gallen set to smash record". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  9. ^ "NRL confirms Townsville final". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 13 September 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  10. ^ Franklin, Katie (18 September 2004). "Cowboys one win away from grand final". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  11. ^ Middleton, David. 2004 Official Rugby League Annual. Sydney: News Magazines. pp. 110–111.
[edit]
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