Why 2004 Grand Final win over Bradford Bulls is Leeds Rhinos star Richie Mathers' favourite game

Mathers, now 36, came through Rhinos’ academy to make his debut in 2002.

His breakthrough season was two years later when he made 29 appearances and moved ahead of full-back Gary Connolly as Rhinos’ first-choice full-back.

A momentous campaign was capped on October 16 when Leeds beat Bradford Bulls 16-8 in the Grand Final and were crowned champions for the first time since 1972.

Recalling his favourite match, Mathers said: “It wasn’t just the final, the whole year really built to that.

“It’s easy for me to say, but I don’t think I’ve seen a side play as expansive and entertaining rugby.

“Some of the skills on show throughout that year were downright ludicrous.

“We were all young and hungry and we just expressed ourselves.”

Rhinos finished nine points clear at the top of the table, but lost to Bradford in a home play-off - only their fourth defeat of the season - before beating Wigan to qualify for Old Trafford.

Mathers remembered: “We won the league leaders’ by a canter.

“Some of those nights at Headingley send shivers down my spine thinking about it.

“Then to come back after getting beat by Bradford and to be the first in such a long time to do it [win the title] and to kick start what has been deemed the golden generation was special.”

Of the game itself, Mathers said: “I don’t remember having any nerves - I just sort of knew we would win.

“That week’s training was flawless and our game plan is really vivid for me because you see teams get to Grand Finals and they become scrappy wars of attrition and game plans go out of the window a bit.”

Coach Tony Smith’s tactic was to kick behind Bulls’ dangerous winger Lesley Vainikolo, who would then be chased down by Mark Calderwood and Chev Walker.

“I remember Kevin [Sinfield] kicking Lesley Vainikolo to death, to the point where he was exhausted,” Mathers added.

“Chev and Calders chased him down as soon as he picked the ball up, the reason being how dangerous he was.

“If he caught the ball on the full, he’s running 100 miles an hour at us and starting their sets off.

“I remember us taking the juice out of him in the first half and him becoming more or less null and void.

“That is a real stand-out for me.”

Vainikolo did score the opening try, on seven minutes, but man of the match Matt Diskin crossed for Leeds after Mathers had gone close and three goals from Kevin Sinfield gave them a 10-4 interval lead.

Shontayne Hape pulled four points back at the start of the second period and the game was in the balance until five minutes from time when Robbie Paul spilled the ball near his own line.

What happened next is Rhinos’ history as a one-two with Keith Senior led to Danny McGuire - Mathers’ great mate - swooping jubilantly over for the killer try. Sinfield added the extras and 32 years of hurt were over.

“I remember the noise and the atmosphere,” Mathers said. “It was nip and tuck for a bit, then Robbie dropped the ball.

“I was absolutely shattered. From that scrum I pushed Keith and Marcus Bai in, I was that tired, then went and stood on the wing.

“We got the ball to Keith, I ran round expecting the offload, but Golden Balls got the ball and deservedly so.

“He had had such a great year, scoring so many tries and he wriggled under as only he could do.

“After that, I remember us all going delirious. We knew, at 16-8, we could enjoy those last few minutes.

“At the end the first person who ran on was Franny Cummins.

“We all realised we had done something really special as a group.

“For the Leeds club and the fans to see Kev lift that trophy and then bring it back to Leeds, it was just magical - and whenever we get together now we have still got that bond, all these years on.

“I must add that Gary [Hetherington, Rhinos’ chief executive], Paul Caddick [chairman] and the club never forget that and we are always really looked after.

“The amount of people who remember that day as a bit of a turning point is special.”

Now retired, Mathers also played in Super League for Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity, in the Championship at Bradford Bulls and had a spell with NRL club Gold Coast Titans.

He picked out Leeds’ 2005 World Club Challenge triumph and Warrington’s Challenge Cup final victory over Huddersfield Giants four years later as other favourite moments.

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