The 2003 Super League Grand Final was the 6th official Grand Final conclusive and premiership-deciding match of Super League VIII. Held on Saturday 18 October 2003 at Old Trafford, Manchester, the game was played between Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors. The match was refereed Karl Kirkpatrick and watched by a crowd of 65,537, with Bradford winning 25 - 12.
Background
TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPts1 Bradford Bulls282206878529+349443 Wigan Warriors281927751555+19641
Route to the Final Bradford Bulls Bradford finished top of the table so qualified straight to the play-off semi-final. They were drawn at home to Leeds Rhinos and won 30–14 to qualify for the grand final.
Wigan Warriors Wigan finished third in the table so had to play their way through three rounds of play-off matches. In the elimination play-off they beat Warrington 25–12, the semi-final saw them beat St Helens 40–24 and then in the elimination final they beat Leeds Rhinos 23–22 to set up the final against Bradford. + Wigan Round Opposition Score Elimination Play-off Warrington Wolves (H) 25-12 Elimination Semi-Final St Helens (H) 40-24 Elimination Final Leeds Rhinos (H) 23-22 Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.
Match details
Bradford BullsPositionWigan Warriors Stuart ReardonFullback1 Kris Radlinski2 Tevita VaikonaWing2 Brian Carney Michael WithersCentre3 Martin Aspinwall Shontayne HapeCentre David Hodgson5 Lesley VainikoloWing5 Brett Dallas Karl PrattStad Off Sean O'Loughlin7 Paul DeaconScrum half7 Luke Robinson Joe VaganaPropQuentin Pongia9 James LowesFullback9 Terry Newton10 Stuart FieldenProp Craig Smith Daniel GartnerSecond Row Mick Cassidy11 Jamie PeacockSecond Row Danny Tickle Mike ForshawLoose forward13 Andy Farrell Leon PryceInterchange Paul Johnson6 Robbie Paul Mark Smith Lee Radford Gareth Hock Paul Anderson Terry O'Connor Brian NobleCoaches Mike Gregory
World Club Challenge
Having won the championship, the Bradford Bulls were to play 2003 NRL season premiers, the Penrith Panthers in the following February's World Club Challenge.
References
2003 Super League Grand Final at rlphotos.com