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2004 Melbourne Storm season


FieldValue
year2004
team_colour#6C0094
font_colour#ffd700
leagueNRL
league_link[NRL](2004-nrl-season)
league_rank6th
league_wins13
league_draws0
league_losses11
points_for684
points_against517
playoff_resultSemi-final Loss
CEO_titleCEO
CEOFrank Stanton (Interim)
coach_titleCoach
coachCraig Bellamy
captainStephen Kearney (24 Games)
Rodney Howe (1 Game)
Robbie Kearns (1 Game)
stadiumOlympic Park
avg_attendance8,886
high_attendance10,621 (Round 16)
top_triesSteven Bell (18)
top_goalsMatt Orford (56)
top_pointsMatt Orford (153)
prev_season[2003](2003-melbourne-storm-season)
next_season[2005](2005-melbourne-storm-season)
listyes
list_linkList of Melbourne Storm seasons

Rodney Howe (1 Game) Robbie Kearns (1 Game)

The 2004 Melbourne Storm season was the 7th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2004 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season 6th out of 15 teams.

Inconsistency plagued Storm in Craig Bellamy’s second season in charge, but the team won four games in a row during the middle part of the year to move into the top four. They could not maintain their run though, eventually finishing sixth. Once again Storm won its first final, a 31-14 triumph over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium before bowing out to the Bulldogs for the second straight season the following week. John Ribot departed the club early in the 2004 season with Frank Stanton stepping in as acting CEO for the next 12 months.

Season summary

  • World Sevens – Storm avenge their 2003 loss to Lebanon in the Rugby League World Sevens, but fail to progress out of Pool C.
  • 4 March – In the wake of the Coffs Harbour scandal overshadowing the start of the 2004 NRL season, reports emerge two Melbourne players are being accused of sexual assault, claims which are later ruled unfounded.
  • 7 March – With a forthcoming bye in Round 1, Melbourne play foundation NSWRL club Newtown Jets in an extra trial match at Henson Park.
  • 12 March – Club founder John Ribot resigns as executive director of the club. Ribot later sells his remaining shares in the club to News Limited. Ribot and News are forced to deny the decision was connected to Ribot's handling of allegations against two Melbourne players. Frank Stanton is appointed interim CEO of the club.
  • 17 March – Coach Craig Bellamy agrees to a new contract to coach Melbourne until the end of 2007.
  • Round 2 – Despite leading 14–10 at half time, Melbourne lose their first game for the season at home to Newcastle Knights.
  • 28 April – Melbourne is found by the NRL to have exceeded the competition's salary cap in 2003 and are fined $130,956.
  • Round 6 – Celebrating his 200th NRL game, Danny Williams scores two tries and adds a late conversion to bring up a 50–4 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs.
  • Round 8 – Referee Tony Archer awards New Zealand Warriors goalkicker Sione Faumuina a second shot at goal after Melbourne captain Stephen Kearney deliberately threw a water bottle in his line of vision. The Warriors regain the Michael Moore Trophy with a 20–14 win in Auckland.
  • 13 May – Outspoken Parramatta Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald declares that Melbourne Storm be disbanded and forced to relocate to the Gold Coast, saying "promoting rugby league in Melbourne is akin to promoting beach volleyball in Iceland."
  • Round 12 – Melbourne win their first ever game at EnergyAustralia Stadium, beating the Newcastle Knights 28–16. The club had previously lost six straight games at the venue.
  • Round 14 – Despite reaching a 16–0 lead, Melbourne lose 28–26 to South Sydney Rabbitohs in Souths' caretaker coach Arthur Kitinas first game in charge.
  • Round 16 – In a night of milestones with the club celebrating Robbie Kearns (250 games), Matt Geyer (150 games, 144 games for Melbourne to equal Marcus Bai's record); Storm thrash Warriors 42–6 to take back the Michael Moore Trophy.
  • Round 17 – Melbourne blitz Penrith Panthers 66–14, setting new club records for the highest score and record winning margin at Olympic Park. Matt Orford scored a new club record 11 goals from 12 attempts.
  • 14 July – Club captain Stephen Kearney announces he will be leaving Melbourne at the end of the season to finish his career with Super League club Hull F.C.
  • Round 19 – Danny Williams is sent off for king-hitting Wests Tigers forward Mark O'Neill. O'Neill is cited and later found guilty of a careless high tackle on Williams, but receives no suspension. After the NRL judiciary hearing is adjourned for two weeks after evidence is introduced claiming Williams was suffering "post-traumatic amnesia", he receives a 18-match suspension, the longest suspension handed down in over a decade.
  • Round 20 – Scoring 18 points (3 tries, 3 goals) himself, a controversial last second Matt Orford try hands Melbourne a 22–16 win against Parramatta. Eels coach Brian Smith furious with video referee Chris Ward to award the Orford try, calling the decision "disgusting".
  • Round 23 – Jeremy Smith makes his NRL debut, scoring a try with his first touch of the ball. Smith is the first former Melbourne Storm junior to play with the club.
  • Round 24 – In their last game at Olympic Park, Rodney Howe and Stephen Kearney lead Melbourne to a 22–12 victory over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, the club's first win against that club since 2000.
  • September 13 – News Limited appoint former St Kilda CEO Brian Waldron as the club's new CEO.
  • Round 26 – Secure in sixth position on the NRL ladder, Craig Bellamy rests a number of players from the club's final regular season game against Manly. Melbourne lose 30–28 with Bellamy expressing his anger at match referee Steve Lyons and video referee Paul Simpkins over a number of contentious decisions.
  • September 7 – With 23 points, Matt Orford finishes in a tied for third in the 2004 Dally M Medal count, four points behind winner Danny Buderus.
  • Qualifying Final – Down 8–0 at half time, Melbourne stun the Brisbane Broncos in a pulsating second half, winning 31–14 at Suncorp Stadium. Matt Orford also kicks the first field goal for Melbourne in over five years.
  • Semi Final – For the second straight season, Melbourne are eliminated from the NRL finals by the Bulldogs, this time going down 43–18 at Aussie Stadium. Down 16–0 early, Melbourne were never really in the match, in what was former captain Rodney Howe's last game of rugby league.

Milestone games

RoundPlayerMilestone
Round 2Ben MacDougallStorm debut
Alex ChanStorm debut
Round 3Steve TurnerStorm debut
Round 6Danny Williams200th game
Round 7David Kidwell100th game
Round 8Kirk Reynoldson50th game
Round 9Cooper CronkNRL debut
Round 12Stephen Kearney200th game
Round 16Matt Geyer150th game
Round 19Scott Hill150th game
Round 21Robbie Kearns250th game
Round 22Matt Orford100th game
Rodney Howe150th game
Round 23Jeremy SmithNRL debut
Round 26Andrew McFadden100th game

Jerseys

Melbourne's jerseys were unchanged from the designs implemented by Canterbury of New Zealand in 2003. The club's clash colours were again a mostly white design with a purple chevron and gold thunderbolts, worn with navy shorts. Honda finished up as sponsor at the end of 2003, and there was no sleeve sponsor for 2004.

Fixtures

Pre Season

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultMel.Opp.Source
24 JanuaryRugby League World SevensLBN LebanonAussie Stadium, Sydney2722
24 JanuaryRugby League World Sevens[[File:St. George colours.svg16px]] St George Illawarra DragonsAussie Stadium, Sydney1029
25 JanuaryRugby League World Sevens[[File:Canterbury colours.svg16px]] Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsAussie Stadium, Sydney1722
DateRdOpponentVenueResultMel.Opp.TriesGoalsField goalsRef
14 FebruaryTrial[[File:Western Suburbs colours.svg16px]] Tweed Heads SeagullsNoosa District Sports Complex, Tewantin2814
21 FebruaryTrial[[File:Brisbane colours.svg16px]] Brisbane BroncosClive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba1014M Geyer, S HillM Geyer (1)
28 FebruaryTrial[[File:Canberra colours.svg16px]] Canberra RaidersEric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga2030G Turner, F Moala, M King, B SlaterC Smith (2)
7 MarchTrial[[File:Newtown colours.svg16px]] Newtown JetsHenson Park, Sydney540S Turner (3), F Moala (2), M King (2), B Slater, P Robinson, K ReynoldsonC Smith (5), M Geyer

Regular season

Result by round

Matches

Source:

  • – Golden Point extra time
  • (pen) – Penalty try
DateRdOpponentVenueResultMel.Opp.TriesGoalsField goalsRef
13 March1*Bye*
21 March2[[File:Newcastle colours.svg16px]] Newcastle KnightsOlympic Park, Melbourne2636S Hill, F Moala, B Slater, G TurnerC Smith 5/5
28 March3[[File:St. George colours.svg16px]] St George Illawarra DragonsOlympic Park, Melbourne346S Turner (2), D Cooper, M King, B MacDougall, M OrfordC Smith 4/7, D Cooper 1/1
4 April4[[File:Brisbane colours.svg16px]] Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane2634M King (2), S Hill, R Hoffman, B SlaterC Smith 3/5, M Orford 0/1
11 April5[[File:Panthers colours.svg16px]] Penrith PanthersPenrith Park, Sydney2630M King (2), D Cooper, M Orford, P RobinsonC Smith 3/5
17 April6[[File:South Sydney colours.svg16px]] South Sydney RabbitohsOlympic Park, Melbourne504J Webster (3), D Williams (2), D Cooper, D Kidwell, M Orford, C SmithC Smith 5/6, M Orford 1/1, D Williams 1/1, D Cooper 1/1
24 April7[[File:North Queensland colours.svg16px]] North Queensland CowboysOlympic Park, Melbourne286S Bell, M Geyer, D Johnson, K Reynoldson, B SlaterC Smith 3/5, M Orford 1/1
2 May8[[File:New Zealand colours.svg16px]] New Zealand WarriorsEricsson Stadium, Auckland1420S Bell (2), S HillC Smith 1/3
8 May9[[File:Cronulla colours.svg16px]] Cronulla-Sutherland SharksOlympic Park, Melbourne2636S Bell (2), D Cooper (2), B SlaterC Smith 3/5
16 May10[[File:Parramatta colours.svg16px]] Parramatta EelsParramatta Stadium, Sydney3616D Cooper (2), S Bell, D Johnson, R Kearns, C SmithC Smith 6/8
22 May11[[File:Canberra colours.svg16px]] Canberra RaidersOlympic Park, Melbourne2218C Cronk, S Hill, S Kearney, B MacDougallM Orford 3/4
29 May12[[File:Newcastle colours.svg16px]] Newcastle KnightsEnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle2818M Geyer (3), S Hill, B SlaterC Smith 4/5
5 June13[[File:Wests Tigers colours.svg16px]] Wests TigersOlympic Park, Melbourne3024S Bell, D Johnson, R Kearns, D Kidwell, B SlaterM Orford 3/4, C Smith 2/3
12 June14[[File:South Sydney colours.svg16px]] South Sydney RabbitohsAussie Stadium, Sydney2628A Chan (2), S Bell, D Cooper, D KidwellM Orford 3/5
19 June15*Bye*
26 June16[[File:New Zealand colours.svg16px]] New Zealand WarriorsOlympic Park, Melbourne426M King (3), B MacDougall (2), S Bell, D Kidwell, B SlaterM Orford 4/7, D Cooper 1/1
2 July17[[File:Panthers colours.svg16px]] Penrith PanthersOlympic Park, Melbourne6614S Turner (3), C Cronk (2), M King (2), S Hill, R Hoffman, D Kidwell, B MacDougallM Orford 11/12
11 July18[[File:Canterbury colours.svg16px]] Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsSydney Showground, Sydney1825D Kidwell, B Slater, C SmithM Orford 3/3
17 July19[[File:Wests Tigers colours.svg16px]] Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval, Sydney1832B Slater (2), M OrfordM Orford 3/3
24 July20[[File:Parramatta colours.svg16px]] Parramatta EelsOlympic Park, Melbourne2216M Orford (3), M KingM Orford 3/5
1 August21[[File:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg16px]] Sydney RoostersOlympic Park, Melbourne1026M King, C SmithM Orford 1/2
6 August22[[File:St. George colours.svg16px]] St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Stadium, Wollongong1434S Bell, M King, M OrfordM Orford 1/3
15 August23[[File:Canberra colours.svg16px]] Canberra RaidersCanberra Stadium, Canberra3618S Bell, M Geyer, M King, B MacDougall, M Orford, B Slater, J SmithM Orford 4/7
22 August24[[File:Canterbury colours.svg16px]] Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsOlympic Park, Melbourne2212S Bell, S Hill, D JohnsonM Orford 5/6
28 August25[[File:Cronulla colours.svg16px]] Cronulla-Sutherland SharksToyota Park, Sydney3628M Geyer (2), S Bell, D Johnson, D Kidwell, B MacDougall, B SlaterM Orford 4/7, S Kearney 0/1
5 September26[[File:Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg16px]] Manly Warringah Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval, Sydney2830S Bell (2), S Hill (2), C CronkC Smith 4/5

Finals

Carroll Tate Lockyer (3/3)

Hill Bell King Slater Orford Geyer Orford (3/6) Orford


Thurston Perry Ryan El Masri Tonga Patten El Masri (7/8) Sherwin

Bell Slater Orford (3/3)

Ladder

Main article: 2004 NRL season

2004 Coaching Staff

  • Head coach: Craig Bellamy
  • Assistant coaches: Dean Lance & Peter Sharp
  • Football Manager: Greg Brentnall
  • Physical Preparation Coach: Alex Corvo
  • Physiotherapist: Matt Natusch
  • Head Trainer: Troy Thompson

2004 squad

List current as of 20 September 2021

CapNat.Player namePositionFirst Storm GamePrevious First Grade RL club
**1**AUSRobbie RossFB1998AUS Hunter Mariners
**6**AUSScott HillFE1998AUS Hunter Mariners
**8**AUSRodney HowePR1998AUS Perth Reds
**9**AUSDanny WilliamsLK, SR, HK1998AUS North Sydney Bears
**10**AUSRobbie KearnsPR1998AUS Perth Reds
**18**AUSMatt GeyerWG1998AUS Perth Reds
**28**NZLStephen KearneySR1999AUS New Zealand Warriors
**34**TONFifita MoalaWG2000AUS Melbourne Storm
**37**NZLGlen TurnerSR2000AUS Melbourne Storm
**38**AUSPeter RobinsonSR2000AUS Melbourne Storm
**43**AUSMatt OrfordHB2001AUS Northern Eagles
**44**AUSSteven BellCE2001AUS Melbourne Storm
**55**AUSCameron SmithHK2002AUS Melbourne Storm
**56**AUSKirk ReynoldsonSR2002AUS Melbourne Storm
**58**AUSBilly SlaterFB2003AUS Melbourne Storm
**59**NZLDavid KidwellSR2003AUS Sydney Roosters
**60**AUSDallas JohnsonLK2003AUS Melbourne Storm
**61**NZLJake WebsterWG2003AUS Melbourne Storm
**62**AUSRyan HoffmanSR2003AUS Melbourne Storm
**63**AUSAndrew McFaddenHB2003AUS Parramatta Eels
**64**NZLRobert TanieluPR2003AUS Brisbane Broncos
**66**AUSDustin CooperWG2003AUS Melbourne Storm
**67**AUSNathan FriendHK2003AUS Brisbane Broncos
**68**AUSAntonio KaufusiPR2003AUS Melbourne Storm
**69**AUSMatt KingCE2003AUS Melbourne Storm
**70**AUSBen MacDougallCE2004AUS Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
**71**NZLAlex ChanPR2004AUS Parramatta Eels
**72**AUSSteve TurnerWG2004AUS Penrith Panthers
**75**AUSCooper CronkHB2004AUS Melbourne Storm
**76**NZLJeremy SmithSR2004AUS Melbourne Storm
AUSLuke DyerCEYet to debutAUS Penrith Panthers
TGASione FinefeuiakiPRYet to debutAUS Melbourne Storm

Player movements

Losses

  • Marcus Bai to Leeds Rhinos
  • Junior Langi to Parramatta Eels
  • Aaron Moule to Widnes Vikings
  • Mitchell Sargent to North Queensland Cowboys
  • Nathan Sologinkin to Released
  • Semi Tadulala to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Gains

  • Alex Chan from Parramatta Eels
  • Ben MacDougall from Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
  • Steve Turner from Penrith Panthers

Representative honours

This table lists all players who have played a representative match in 2004.

Player[2004 ANZAC Test](2004-anzac-test)City vs Country Origin[State of Origin 1](2004-state-of-origin-series)[State of Origin 2](2004-state-of-origin-series)[State of Origin 3](2004-state-of-origin-series)[Tri-Nations](2004-rugby-league-tri-nations)
Scott HillCountryAustralia
Stephen KearneyNew Zealand
David KidwellNew ZealandNew Zealand
Matt KingCountry
Matt OrfordCity
Billy SlaterQueenslandQueenslandQueensland
Cameron SmithQueenslandQueenslandQueensland

Statistics

This table contains playing statistics for all Melbourne Storm players to have played in the 2004 NRL season.

  • Statistics sources:
NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPoints29 players used1321021733
24180072
182008
1382036
1340016
30000
2180032
24100040
202008
230000
1950020
60000
241004
222008
2670028
20150060
20000
2270028
11004
2510561153
201004
61004
22140056
234430102
21004
30000
101004
750020
630012
1721010

Scorers

Most points in a game: 22 points

  • Round 17 - Matt Orford (11 goals) vs Penrith Panthers

*Most tries in a game: 3 *

  • Round 6 - Jake Webster vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
  • Round 12 - Matt Geyer vs Newcastle Knights
  • Round 17 - Steve Turner vs Penrith Panthers
  • Round 20 - Matt Orford vs Parramatta Eels
  • Round 23 - Matt King vs New Zealand Warriors

Winning games

*Highest score in a winning game: 66 points *

  • Round 17 vs Penrith Panthers

Lowest score in a winning game: 22 points

  • Round 11 vs Canberra Raiders
  • Round 20 vs Parramatta Eels

*Greatest winning margin: 52 points *

  • Round 17 vs Penrith Panthers

Greatest number of games won consecutively: 4

  • Round 10 - Round 13

Losing games

Highest score in a losing game: 28 points

  • Round 26 vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

*Lowest score in a losing game: 10 points *

  • Round 21 vs Sydney Roosters

Greatest losing margin: 25 points

  • Semi Final vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

*Greatest number of games lost consecutively: 2 *

  • Round 4 - Round 5
  • Round 8 - Round 9
  • Round 18 - Round 19
  • Round 21 - Round 22

Feeder Team

Melbourne Storm reserve players again travelled to Brisbane each week to play with Queensland Cup team Norths Devils. Coached for a second season by Gary Greinke, Norths returned to the finals, finishing second in the regular season behind eventual premiers Burleigh Bears. However, the Devils were bundled out of the finals in straight sets. Melbourne Storm rookie Jeremy Smith won the Devils Player of the Year Award.

During the season, Greg Inglis made his first grade debut as a 17-year-old, scoring two tries. Inglis would play six Queensland Cup games for the season, scoring eight tries, also representing Queensland in underage representative games.

Main article: 2004 Queensland Cup

2004 Queensland CupPosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts
**2**Norths Devils221516789503+286**31**

Awards and honours

Melbourne Storm Awards Night

  • Melbourne Storm Player of the Year: Matt Orford
  • Greg Brentnall Trophy (Coterie Award): Matt Orford
  • Rookie of the Year: Matt King
  • Clubman of the Year: Rodney Howe
  • Mick Moore Chairman's Award: Stephen Kearney

[[2004 Dally M Awards|Dally M Awards Night]]

  • Peter Frilingos Memorial Award: Billy Slater

Notes

References

References

  1. "History Melbourne Storm". melbournestorm.com.au.
  2. "2004 Official Rugby League Annual". News Magazines.
  3. (17 May 2004). "Melbourne find an ice way to kick sand in Fitzgerald's face".
  4. (23 August 2004). "Storm back in title race - Bulldogs juggernaut derailed". The Courier-Mail.
  5. (16 February 2004). "Rookie Cronk cranks it up". Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  6. (16 February 2004). "Playmaker Hill on comeback road". Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  7. (22 February 2004). "Lockie at home in trial run as pivot". Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  8. (29 February 2004). "Injury sours Raiders' win". Fairfax Media.
  9. (29 February 2004). "Storm falls short". Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  10. (29 February 2004). "Drew blow for Raiders". Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  11. (15 May 2020). "Flashback Friday – Newtown Jets v Melbourne Storm 2004".
  12. (7 March 2004). "Storm in a rout". Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited.
  13. (7 March 2004). "Stormy week ends on a high as Geyer show lifts Melbourne". Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited.
  14. "Rugby League Tables - Melbourne".
  15. "NRL 2004 - Round 2".
  16. "NRL 2004 - Round 3".
  17. "NRL 2004 - Round 4".
  18. "NRL 2004 - Round 5".
  19. "NRL 2004 - Round 6".
  20. "NRL 2004 - Round 7".
  21. "NRL 2004 - Round 8".
  22. "NRL 2004 - Round 9".
  23. "NRL 2004 - Round 10".
  24. "NRL 2004 - Round 11".
  25. "NRL 2004 - Round 12".
  26. "NRL 2004 - Round 13".
  27. "NRL 2004 - Round 14".
  28. "NRL 2004 - Round 16".
  29. "NRL 2004 - Round 17".
  30. "NRL 2004 - Round 18".
  31. "NRL 2004 - Round 19".
  32. "NRL 2004 - Round 20".
  33. "NRL 2004 - Round 21".
  34. "NRL 2004 - Round 22".
  35. "NRL 2004 - Round 23".
  36. "NRL 2004 - Round 24".
  37. "NRL 2004 - Round 25".
  38. "NRL 2004 - Round 26".
  39. (2 July 2014). "SMITHY: A Sharp mind and a fine coach".
  40. "Player Profiles (2004)".
  41. "2004 Melbourne Point Scorers". afltables.com.
  42. "Melbourne Storm - NRL 2004". rugbyleagueproject.org.
  43. (1 August 2018). "When Greg Inglis, 17, blew the Intrust Super Cup apart".
  44. "NRL Honour Board". [[Melbourne Storm]].
  45. "ORFORD CROWNED STORM PLAYER OF THE YEAR".
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