2004 Melbourne Storm season

{{Infobox rugby league team season

| year = 2004

| team_colour = #6C0094

| font_colour = #ffd700

| league = NRL

| league_link = NRL

| league_rank = 6th

| league_wins = 13

| league_draws = 0

| league_losses = 11

| points_for = 684

| points_against = 517

| playoff_result = Semi-final Loss

| CEO_title = CEO

| CEO = Frank Stanton (Interim)

| coach_title = Coach

| coach = Craig Bellamy

| captain = Stephen Kearney (24 Games)
Rodney Howe (1 Game)
Robbie Kearns (1 Game)

| stadium = Olympic Park

| avg_attendance = 8,886

| high_attendance = 10,621 (Round 16)

| top_tries = Steven Bell (18)

| top_goals = Matt Orford (56)

| top_points = Matt Orford (153)

| prev_season = 2003

| next_season = 2005

| list = yes

| list_link = List of Melbourne Storm seasons

}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/about/history_628513251.html|title=History Melbourne Storm|work=melbournestorm.com.au|accessdate=9 January 2017}}

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.{{cite book |last1=Middleton |first1=David |title=2004 Official Rugby League Annual |publisher=News Magazines |location=Surrey Hills}} 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."{{cite web |title=Melbourne find an ice way to kick sand in Fitzgerald's face |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-find-an-ice-way-to-kick-sand-in-fitzgeralds-face-20040517-gdixuy.html |website=smh.com.au |date=17 May 2004 |access-date=6 September 2021}}
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 Kitinis 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.{{cite news |last1=de Kroo |first1=Karl |title=Storm back in title race - Bulldogs juggernaut derailed |work=The Courier-Mail |date=23 August 2004 |location=Brisbane, Queensland |page=3 (sport liftout)}}
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=

Round	Player	Milestone
class="wikitable" style="font-size:80%; width:30%;"
Round 2	Ben MacDougall	Storm debut
Round 2	Alex Chan	Storm debut
Round 3	Steve Turner	Storm debut
Round 6	Danny Williams	200th game
Round 7	David Kidwell	100th game
Round 8	Kirk Reynoldson	50th game
Round 9	Cooper Cronk	NRL debut
Round 12	Stephen Kearney	200th game
Round 16	Matt Geyer	150th game
Round 19	Scott Hill	150th game
Round 21	Robbie Kearns	250th game
Round 22	Matt Orford	100th game
Round 22	Rodney Howe	150th game
Round 23	Jeremy Smith	NRL debut
Round 26	Andrew McFadden	100th 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=

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Result	Mel.	Opp.
class="wikitable" style="font-size:80%; width:75%;"
24 January	Rugby League World Sevens	{{flagicon\|LBN}} Lebanon	Aussie Stadium, Sydney	{{Won}}	27	22
24 January	Rugby League World Sevens	16px St George Illawarra Dragons	Aussie Stadium, Sydney	{{Lost}}	10	29
25 January	Rugby League World Sevens	16px Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Aussie Stadium, Sydney	{{Lost}}	17	22

width="6%" \| Date ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Rd\|Round}} ! width="14%" \| Opponent ! width="15%" \| Venue ! width="5%" \| Result ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Mel.\|Melbourne score}} ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Opp.\|Opponent score}} ! width="30%" \| Tries ! width="12%" \| Goals ! width="6%" \| Field goals ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Ref\|Reference}}
class="wikitable" style="font-size:80%; width:100%;"
14 February	Trial	16px Tweed Heads Seagulls	Noosa District Sports Complex, Tewantin	{{Won}}	\|28	14	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{cite news \|last1=de Kroo \|first1=Karl \|title=Rookie Cronk cranks it up \|work=Herald-Sun \|publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd \|date=16 February 2004 \|location=Melbourne, Victoria \|page=42}}{{cite news \|last1=Stedman \|first1=Chris \|title=Playmaker Hill on comeback road \|work=The Australian \|publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd \|date=16 February 2004 \|location=Canberra, Australia \|page=21}}
21 February	Trial	16px Brisbane Broncos	Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba	{{Lost}}	10	14	M Geyer, S Hill	M Geyer (1)	{{cite news \|last1=Ricketts \|first1=Steve \|title=Lockie at home in trial run as pivot \|work=The Courier-Mail \|publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd \|date=22 February 2004 \|location=Brisbane, Queensland \|page=140}}
28 February	Trial	16px Canberra Raiders	Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga	{{Lost}}	20	30	G Turner, F Moala, M King, B Slater	C Smith (2)	{{cite web \|title=Injury sours Raiders' win \|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/injury-sours-raiders-win-20040229-gdig4s.html \|website=theage.com.au \|publisher=Fairfax Media \|access-date=3 March 2022 \|date=29 February 2004}}{{cite news \|last1=de Kroo \|first1=Karl \|title=Storm falls short \|work=Herald-Sun \|publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd \|date=29 February 2004 \|location=Melbourne, Victoria \|page=50}}{{cite news \|title=Drew blow for Raiders \|work=The Daily Telegraph \|publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd \|date=29 February 2004 \|location=Sydney, New South Wales \|page=56}}
7 March	Trial	16px Newtown Jets	Henson Park, Sydney	{{Won}}	54	0	S Turner (3), F Moala (2), M King (2), B Slater, P Robinson, K Reynoldson	C Smith (5), M Geyer	{{cite web \|title=Flashback Friday – Newtown Jets v Melbourne Storm 2004 \|url=https://www.newtownjets.com/flashback-friday-newtown-jets-v-melbourne-storm-2004/ \|website=Newtown Jets \|date=15 May 2020 \|access-date=16 September 2021}}{{cite news \|last1=Mascord \|first1=Steve \|title=Storm in a rout \|work=The Sydney Morning Herald \|publisher=Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited \|date=7 March 2004 \|location=Sydney, New South Wales \|page=16}}{{cite news \|last1=Mascord \|first1=Steve \|title=Stormy week ends on a high as Geyer show lifts Melbourne \|work=The Sydney Morning Herald \|publisher=Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited \|date=7 March 2004 \|location=Sydney, New South Wales \|page=109}}

=Regular season=

==Result by round==

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b|header=Round

| label1 = Ground

| res1 = –/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/–/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/A

| label2 = Result

| res2 = B/L/W/L/L/W/W/L/L/W/W/W/W/L/B/W/W/L/L/W/L/L/W/W/W/L

| label3 = Position

| pos3 = 8/11/3/8/11/8/5/7/9/6/7/5/5/5/5/5/4/4/5/5/5/6/6/6/6/6

| label4 = Points

| pos4 = 2p/2p/4p/4p/4p/6p/8p/8p/8p/10p/12p/14p/16p/16p/18p/20p/22p/22p/22p/24p/24p/24p/26p/28p/30p/30p

| text_N = Neutral |text_B = Bye |color_B = blue1

| color1 = gold |color2-8 = green2 |color15 = red2

| source = [https://afltables.com/rl/seas/2004.html Rugby League Tables]

}}

==Matches==

Source:{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/rl/teams/melbourne/melbourne_by.html#2004|title=Rugby League Tables - Melbourne|accessdate=27 September 2021}}

{{goldenpt}} – Golden Point extra time
(pen) – Penalty try

width="6%" \| Date ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Rd\|Round}} ! width="14%" \| Opponent ! width="15%" \| Venue ! width="5%" \| Result ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Mel.\|Melbourne score}} ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Opp.\|Opponent score}} ! width="30%" \| Tries ! width="12%" \| Goals ! width="6%" \| Field goals ! width="3%" \| {{abbr\|Ref\|Reference}}
class="wikitable" style="font-size:80%; width:100%;"
13 March	1	colspan="10"\|Bye
21 March	2	16px Newcastle Knights	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Lost}}	26	36	S Hill, F Moala, B Slater, G Turner	C Smith 5/5	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-2/melbourne-vs-newcastle/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 2\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
28 March	3	16px St George Illawarra Dragons	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	34	6	S Turner (2), D Cooper, M King, B MacDougall, M Orford	C Smith 4/7, D Cooper 1/1	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-3/melbourne-vs-st-george-illawarra/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 3\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
4 April	4	16px Brisbane Broncos	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane	{{Lost}}	26	34	M King (2), S Hill, R Hoffman, B Slater	C Smith 3/5, M Orford 0/1	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-4/brisbane-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 4\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
11 April	5	16px Penrith Panthers	Penrith Park, Sydney	{{Lost}}	26	30	M King (2), D Cooper, M Orford, P Robinson	C Smith 3/5	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-5/penrith-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 5\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
17 April	6	16px South Sydney Rabbitohs	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	50	4	J Webster (3), D Williams (2), D Cooper, D Kidwell, M Orford, C Smith	C Smith 5/6, M Orford 1/1, D Williams 1/1, D Cooper 1/1	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-6/melbourne-vs-south-sydney/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 6\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
24 April	7	16px North Queensland Cowboys	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	28	6	S Bell, M Geyer, D Johnson, K Reynoldson, B Slater	C Smith 3/5, M Orford 1/1	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-7/melbourne-vs-north-queensland/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 7\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
2 May	8	16px New Zealand Warriors	Ericsson Stadium, Auckland	{{Lost}}	14	20	S Bell (2), S Hill	C Smith 1/3	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-8/warriors-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 8\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
8 May	9	16px Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Lost}}	26	36	S Bell (2), D Cooper (2), B Slater	C Smith 3/5	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-9/melbourne-vs-cronulla/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 9\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
16 May	10	16px Parramatta Eels	Parramatta Stadium, Sydney	{{Won}}	36	16	D Cooper (2), S Bell, D Johnson, R Kearns, C Smith	C Smith 6/8	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-10/parramatta-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 10\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
22 May	11	16px Canberra Raiders	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	22	18	C Cronk, S Hill, S Kearney, B MacDougall	M Orford 3/4	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-11/melbourne-vs-canberra/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 11\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
29 May	12	16px Newcastle Knights	EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle	{{Won}}	28	18	M Geyer (3), S Hill, B Slater	C Smith 4/5	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-12/newcastle-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 12\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
5 June	13	16px Wests Tigers	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	30	24	S Bell, D Johnson, R Kearns, D Kidwell, B Slater	M Orford 3/4, C Smith 2/3	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-13/melbourne-vs-wests-tigers/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 13\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
12 June	14	16px South Sydney Rabbitohs	Aussie Stadium, Sydney	{{Lost}}	26	28	A Chan (2), S Bell, D Cooper, D Kidwell	M Orford 3/5	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-14/south-sydney-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 14\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
19 June	15	colspan="10"\|Bye
26 June	16	16px New Zealand Warriors	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	42	6	M King (3), B MacDougall (2), S Bell, D Kidwell, B Slater	M Orford 4/7, D Cooper 1/1	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-16/melbourne-vs-warriors/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 16\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
2 July	17	16px Penrith Panthers	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	66	14	S Turner (3), C Cronk (2), M King (2), S Hill, R Hoffman, D Kidwell, B MacDougall	M Orford 11/12	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-17/melbourne-vs-penrith/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 17\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
11 July	18	16px Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Sydney Showground, Sydney	{{Lost}}	18	25	D Kidwell, B Slater, C Smith	M Orford 3/3	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-18/bulldogs-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 18\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
17 July	19	16px Wests Tigers	Leichhardt Oval, Sydney	{{Lost}}	18	32	B Slater (2), M Orford	M Orford 3/3	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-19/wests-tigers-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 19\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
24 July	20	16px Parramatta Eels	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	22	16	M Orford (3), M King	M Orford 3/5	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-20/melbourne-vs-parramatta/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 20\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
1 August	21	16px Sydney Roosters	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Lost}}	10	26	M King, C Smith	M Orford 1/2	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-21/melbourne-vs-sydney/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 21\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
6 August	22	16px St George Illawarra Dragons	WIN Stadium, Wollongong	{{Lost}}	14	34	S Bell, M King, M Orford	M Orford 1/3	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-22/st-george-illawarra-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 22\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
15 August	23	16px Canberra Raiders	Canberra Stadium, Canberra	{{Won}}	36	18	S Bell, M Geyer, M King, B MacDougall, M Orford, B Slater, J Smith	M Orford 4/7	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-23/canberra-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 23\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
22 August	24	16px Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	Olympic Park, Melbourne	{{Won}}	22	12	S Bell, S Hill, D Johnson	M Orford 5/6	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-24/melbourne-vs-bulldogs/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 24\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
28 August	25	16px Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Toyota Park, Sydney	{{Won}}	36	28	M Geyer (2), S Bell, D Johnson, D Kidwell, B MacDougall, B Slater	M Orford 4/7, S Kearney 0/1	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-25/cronulla-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 25\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}
5 September	26	16px Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	Brookvale Oval, Sydney	{{Lost}}	28	30	S Bell (2), S Hill (2), C Cronk	C Smith 4/5	{{cite web\|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/round-26/manly-vs-melbourne/summary.html\|title=NRL 2004 - Round 26\|accessdate=27 September 2021}}

=Finals=

{{Rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = Qualifying final
11 September 2004 |

team1 = Brisbane Broncos {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} |

team2 = {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm |

score = 14 – 31
[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/2244 NRL 2004 - Qualifying Final]. Rugby League Project. Retrieved 23 April 2021. |

points1 = Tries:
Tonie Carroll
Brent Tate
Goals:
Darren Lockyer 3/3 |

points2 = Tries:
Steven Bell
Matt Geyer
Scott Hill
Matt King
Matt Orford
Billy Slater
Goals:
Matt Orford 3/6
Field Goal:
Matt Orford|

stadium = Suncorp Stadium |

attendance = 31,100 |

referee= Steve Clark }}

----

{{Rugbyleaguebox |

bg = #eeeeee |

date = Semi final
19 September 2004 |

team1 = Bulldogs {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} |

team2 = {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm |

score = 43 – 18
[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/2246 NRL 2004 - Semi Final]. Rugby League Project. Retrieved 23 April 2021. |

points1 = Tries:
Johnathan Thurston (2)
Hazem El Masri
Luke Patten
Adam Perry
Andrew Ryan
Willie Tonga
Goals:
Hazem El Masri 7/8
Field Goal:
Brent Sherwin |

points2 = Tries:
Steven Bell (2)
Billy Slater
Goals
Matt Orford 3/3 |

stadium = Aussie Stadium |

attendance = 23,750 |

referee= Paul Simpkins }}

Ladder

2004 Coaching Staff

Head coach: Craig Bellamy
Assistant coaches: Dean Lance & Peter Sharp{{cite web |author1=Brian Smith |author1-link=Brian Smith (rugby league, born 1954) |title=SMITHY: A Sharp mind and a fine coach |url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2014/07/03/smithy-sharp-mind-fine-coach/ |website=theroar.com.au |access-date=14 March 2022 |date=2 July 2014 |quote=Showing how highly rated he was in the wider coaching community, Melbourne Storm snapped him up for two seasons as an assistant immediately after the five year stint on Sydney’s north shore.}}

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{{cite web |title=Player Profiles (2004) |url=http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/player_profile.php |website=melbournestorm.com.au |access-date=19 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229210012/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/player_profile.php |archive-date=29 December 2004}}

width=100%

bgcolor=#6C0094 style="color:#FFFFFF"

!width=5%|Cap {{efn|name=fn1|Players are listed with the cap number as they appear on the Melbourne Storm honour board. Additional squad members do not have a cap number.}}

!width=1%|Nat.

!!width=30%|Player name

!width=15%|Position

!width=10%|First Storm Game

!width=35%|Previous First Grade RL club {{efn|name=fn2|This column denotes the previous RL club the player was signed to and played first grade RL for. If they are yet to debut then this is stipulated. If they were merely signed to the club but did not play then it is not counted.}}

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|1

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Robbie Ross

|align=center|FB

|align=center|1998

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Hunter Mariners

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|6

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Scott Hill

|align=center|FE

|align=center|1998

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Hunter Mariners

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|8

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Rodney Howe

|align=center|PR

|align=center|1998

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Perth Reds

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|9

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Danny Williams

|align=center|LK, SR, HK

|align=center|1998

|{{flagicon|AUS}} North Sydney Bears

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|10

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Robbie Kearns

|align=center|PR

|align=center|1998

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Perth Reds

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|18

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Matt Geyer

|align=center|WG

|align=center|1998

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Perth Reds

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|28

|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Stephen Kearney

|align=center|SR

|align=center|1999

|{{flagicon|AUS}} New Zealand Warriors

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|34

|align=center|{{flagicon|TON}}

|Fifita Moala

|align=center|WG

|align=center|2000

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|37

|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Glen Turner

|align=center|SR

|align=center|2000

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|38

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Peter Robinson

|align=center|SR

|align=center|2000

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|43

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Matt Orford

|align=center|HB

|align=center|2001

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Northern Eagles

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|44

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Steven Bell

|align=center|CE

|align=center|2001

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|55

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Cameron Smith

|align=center|HK

|align=center|2002

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|56

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Kirk Reynoldson

|align=center|SR

|align=center|2002

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|58

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Billy Slater

|align=center|FB

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|59

|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|David Kidwell

|align=center|SR

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Roosters

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|60

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Dallas Johnson

|align=center|LK

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|61

|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Jake Webster

|align=center|WG

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|62

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Ryan Hoffman

|align=center|SR

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|63

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Andrew McFadden

|align=center|HB

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Parramatta Eels

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|64

|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Robert Tanielu

|align=center|PR

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Brisbane Broncos

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|66

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Dustin Cooper

|align=center|WG

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|67

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Nathan Friend

|align=center|HK

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Brisbane Broncos

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|68

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Antonio Kaufusi

|align=center|PR

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|69

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Matt King

|align=center|CE

|align=center|2003

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|70

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Ben MacDougall

|align=center|CE

|align=center|2004

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|71

|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Alex Chan

|align=center|PR

|align=center|2004

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Parramatta Eels

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|72

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Steve Turner

|align=center|WG

|align=center|2004

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Penrith Panthers

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|75

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Cooper Cronk

|align=center|HB

|align=center|2004

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|76

|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Jeremy Smith

|align=center|SR

|align=center|2004

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Storm

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|–

|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}}

|Luke Dyer

|align=center|CE

|align=center|Yet to debut

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Penrith Panthers{{efn|name=fn33|Luke Dyer played in the 2004 World Sevens tournament for Melbourne before transferring back to Penrith Panthers, making his first grade debut against Melbourne later in the 2004 NRL season.}}

bgcolor=#EFEFEF

|align=center|–

|align=center|{{flagicon|TGA}}

|Sione Finefeuiaki

|align=center|PR

|align=center|Yet to debut

|{{flagicon|AUS}} 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.

class="wikitable" style="width:100%; font-size:90%; text-align:center"
style="background:#bdb76b;" ! Player !! 2004 ANZAC Test !! City vs Country Origin !! State of Origin 1 !! State of Origin 2 !! State of Origin 3 !! Tri-Nations{{efn\|name=fn60\|Including Australian tour matches against Papua New Guinea, France, and USA}}
style="text-align:center"
Scott Hill	{{n/a}}	Country	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	Australia
Stephen Kearney	New Zealand	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}
David Kidwell	New Zealand	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	New Zealand
Matt King	{{n/a}}	Country	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}
Matt Orford	{{n/a}}	City	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}
Billy Slater	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	Queensland	Queensland	Queensland	{{n/a}}
Cameron Smith	{{n/a}}	{{n/a}}	Queensland	Queensland	Queensland	{{n/a}}

Statistics

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

Statistics sources:{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/rl/teams/melbourne/melbourne2004_sc.html|title=2004 Melbourne Point Scorers|work=afltables.com|access-date=27 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/melbourne/summary.html|title=Melbourne Storm - NRL 2004|work=rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=27 September 2021}}

style="width:12em"\|Name	Appearances	style="width:3em"\|Tries	style="width:3em"\|Goals	style="width:3em"\|Field goals	style="width:4em"\|Points
class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Steven\|Bell}}	24	18	0	0	72
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Alex\|Chan\|Alex Chan (rugby league)}}	18	2	0	0	8
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Dustin\|Cooper}}	13	8	2	0	36
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Cooper\|Cronk}}	13	4	0	0	16
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Nathan\|Friend}}	3	0	0	0	0
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Matt\|Geyer}}	21	8	0	0	32
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Scott\|Hill\|Scott Hill (rugby league)}}	24	10	0	0	40
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Ryan\|Hoffman}}	20	2	0	0	8
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Rodney\|Howe}}	23	0	0	0	0
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Dallas\|Johnson}}	19	5	0	0	20
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Antonio\|Kaufusi}}	6	0	0	0	0
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Stephen\|Kearney}}	24	1	0	0	4
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Robbie\|Kearns}}	22	2	0	0	8
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|David\|Kidwell}}	26	7	0	0	28
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Matt\|King\|Matt King (rugby league)}}	20	15	0	0	60
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Andrew\|McFadden}}	2	0	0	0	0
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Ben\|MacDougall}}	22	7	0	0	28
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Fifita\|Moala}}	1	1	0	0	4
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Matt\|Orford}}	25	10	56	1	153
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Kirk\|Reynoldson}}	20	1	0	0	4
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Peter\|Robinson\|Peter Robinson (rugby league)}}	6	1	0	0	4
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Billy\|Slater}}	22	14	0	0	56
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Cameron\|Smith\|Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)}}	23	4	43	0	102
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Jeremy\|Smith\|Jeremy Smith (rugby league, born 1980)}}	2	1	0	0	4
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Robert\|Tanielu}}	3	0	0	0	0
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Glen\|Turner}}	10	1	0	0	4
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Steve\|Turner\|Steve Turner (rugby league)}}	7	5	0	0	20
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Jake\|Webster}}	6	3	0	0	12
style="text-align:left;"\|{{sortname\|Danny\|Williams\|Danny Williams (rugby league, born 1973)}}	17	2	1	0	10
class="sortbottom" !29 players used !! — !! 132 !! 102 !! 1 !! 733

=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.{{cite web |last1=Burgin |first1=Robert |title=When Greg Inglis, 17, blew the Intrust Super Cup apart |url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/08/01/when-greg-inglis-17-took-the-intrust-super-cup-by-storm/ |website=qrl.com.au |access-date=27 September 2021 |date=1 August 2018}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
colspan="11" \| 2004 Queensland Cup
width="20" \| {{Abbr\|Pos\|Position}} !Team !width="20" \| {{Abbr\|Pld\|Games played}} !width="20" \| {{Abbr\|W\|Won}} !width="20" \| {{Abbr\|D\|Drawn}} !width="20" \| {{Abbr\|L\|Lost}} !width="25" \| {{Abbr\|PF\|Points for (total points scored)}} !width="25" \| {{Abbr\|PA\|Points against (total points conceded)}} !width="30" \| {{Abbr\|PD\|Points difference (points scored minus points conceded)}} !width="20" \| {{Abbr\|Pts\|Competition points}}
style="background: #ccffcc;" \|2	style="text-align:left;"\|{{leagueicon\|Norths Devils\|16}} Norths Devils \|22	15	1	6	789	503	+286	31

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

colspan="11" | 2004 Queensland Cup

width="20" | {{Abbr|Pos|Position}}

!Team

!width="20" | {{Abbr|Pld|Games played}}

!width="20" | {{Abbr|W|Won}}

!width="20" | {{Abbr|D|Drawn}}

!width="20" | {{Abbr|L|Lost}}

!width="25" | {{Abbr|PF|Points for (total points scored)}}

!width="25" | {{Abbr|PA|Points against (total points conceded)}}

!width="30" | {{Abbr|PD|Points difference (points scored minus points conceded)}}

!width="20" | {{Abbr|Pts|Competition points}}

style="background: #ccffcc;"

style="text-align:left;"|{{leagueicon|Norths Devils|16}} Norths Devils

|22

789

503

+286

Awards and honours

=Melbourne Storm Awards Night=

Melbourne Storm Player of the Year: Matt Orford{{cite web|title=NRL Honour Board |url=http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=nrl-honour-board |work=melbournestorm.com.au |publisher=Melbourne Storm |accessdate=10 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928161940/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=nrl-honour-board |archivedate=28 September 2013 }}
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{{cite web |title=ORFORD CROWNED STORM PLAYER OF THE YEAR |url=http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news.php?id=527 |website=melbournestorm.com.au |access-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022211447/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news.php?id=527 |archive-date=22 October 2004}}

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

Peter Frilingos Memorial Award: Billy Slater

Notes

References

Category:Melbourne Storm seasons

Melbourne Storm season