View source for 2004 NRL season

{{Short description|Rugby league competition}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{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
 | wooden_spoon        = [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
 | wooden_spoon_count  = 7th
 | 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|
!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>
| 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>
| 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>
| 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>
| 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>
| 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>
| 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>
|}

===Advertising===
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>

===Statistics and records===
*[[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===
{{nrl2004ladder}}
{{Nrl2004ladderprogression}}

==Finals series==
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 (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.

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 [[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>

The [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] claimed their 8th premiership title by beating the [[Sydney Roosters]] in the grand final.
{| border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:100%;"
|- style="background:#c1d8ff;"
! rowspan="2" style="width:21%;"|Home
! rowspan="2" style="width:6%;"|Score
! rowspan="2" style="width:21%;"|Away
!colspan=6|Match Information
|- style="background:#efefef;"
!width=17%|Date and Time
!width=17%|Venue
!width=11%|Referee
!width=7%|Crowd
|- style="background:#d0e7ff;"
|  colspan=7 | '''Qualifying Finals'''
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | [[File:Panthers_colours.svg|23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]]
|'''31''' – 30
|align=left | {{leagueicon|St. George}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]
|10 September 2004
|[[Penrith Stadium|Penrith Football Stadium]]
|[[Sean Hampstead]]
|21,963
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Brisbane}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
|14 – '''31'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Melbourne}} [[Melbourne Storm]]
|11 September 2004
|[[Lang Park|Suncorp Stadium]]
|[[Steve Clark (referee)|Steve Clark]]
|31,100
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Canterbury}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
|22 – '''30'''
|align=left | {{leagueicon|North Queensland}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]]
|11 September 2004
|[[Stadium Australia|Telstra Stadium]]
|[[Tim Mander]]
|18,371
|- style="background:#f5faff;"
|align=left | {{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs}} [[Sydney Roosters]]
|'''38''' – 12
|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
|}

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===
{{8McIntyre

| RD1-team1={{leagueicon|Eastern Suburbs|size=16}} '''Sydney'''
| RD1-score1='''38'''
| RD1-team8={{leagueicon|St. George|size=16}} St. George Illawarra
| RD1-score8=30

| RD1-team2={{leagueicon|Canberra|size=16}} Canberra
| RD1-score2=12
| RD1-team7=[[File:Panthers_colours.svg|16px]] '''Penrith'''
| RD1-score7='''31'''

| RD1-team3={{leagueicon|Canterbury|size=16}} Canterbury
| RD1-score3=22
| RD1-team6={{leagueicon|Melbourne|size=16}} '''Melbourne'''
| RD1-score6='''31'''

| RD1-team4={{leagueicon|North Queensland|size=16}} '''North Queensland'''
| RD1-score4='''30'''
| RD1-team5={{leagueicon|Brisbane|size=16}} Brisbane
| RD1-score5=14

| RD2-team1={{leagueicon|North Queensland|size=16}} '''North Queensland'''
| RD2-score1='''10'''
| RD2-team2={{leagueicon|Brisbane|size=16}} Brisbane
| RD2-score2=0

| RD2-team3={{leagueicon|Melbourne|size=16}} Melbourne
| 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}}

==2004 Transfers==

===Players===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:700px;"
|- bgcolor=#bdb76b
!Player
!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==
* [http://www.nrl.com NRL official website]

{{Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs}}
{{Bulldogs squad 2004 NRL premiership}}
{{National Rugby League seasons}}
{{2004 in rugby league}}

[[Category:2004 NRL season| ]]