NRL 2004 Premiers /

While plenty outside of the Club's four walls had doubts about the Bulldogs' ability to bounce back to the fore, there was no doubt in the minds of coaches, players and fans that the Premiership title would return to Belmore. 

The season itself had its fair share of controversies, and despite media-driven distractions during pre-season, the Bulldogs began life in 2004 on the field with a 48-14 demolition of arch rivals Parramatta, marking the debut of young Kiwi sensation Sonny Bill Williams.

It wouldn't all be big scorelines and celebrations for Steve Folkes' side in the early stages of the season however; narrowly escaping against Cronulla (24-20) and Manly (28-26), before an uncharacteristic 35-nil downing from the Roosters.

Following the bye, wins against the Warriors (24-18) and South Sydney (34-8) saw the Bulldogs back in a rhythm. They then completed a gritty 25-18 win over heavyweights Brisbane.

That performance pretty much shows what they are made of.

Head Coach Steve Folkes On the Round 8 victory over the Brisbane Broncos

While there were plenty of lessons learned throughout the season, the big turnaround came against the Roosters - their eventual Grand Final opponents - in Round 13.

The comprehensive 40-12 victory recalibrated the side's focus towards a Premiership, with a further nine consecutive victories guiding the side to a second place finish.

After a shock defeat in the first week of finals against post-season debutants North Queensland, Folkes' side bounced back with a thumping 43-18 win over Melbourne, that saw Hazem El Masri become the first player in competition history to record 300 points in a season. 

The following week was a bittersweet victory; the Bulldogs toppled defending Premiers Penrith (30-14) to qualify for the Club's first Grand Final since 1998, but lost inspirational skipper Steve Price to a knee injury in the very first tackle.

In a cruel twist of fate, it not only ruled him out of the Grand Final, but marked his final match for the Club after a twelve seasons of service. 

It was, however, fitting that the Bulldogs would meet crosstown rivals Easts in their third meeting in a Grand Final in 30 years, pitting the two best teams of the year head to head for the title. 

Light rain had begun 20 minutes prior to kick-off, hampering handling, while both sides persisted in the early stages of the match with a more expansive style of play; the Roosters opened the scoring with Brad Fittler manufacturing the first try in his final match in first-grade. 

Minutes later, stand-in debut Captain Andrew Ryan stood up, looping a pass for winger Matt Utai to touch down. 

So close was the match that the Roosters opted for a field goal before halftime, taking a 13-6 lead heading into the break following a second try. 

Far from fazed by the deficit, a second try to Utai put the Bulldogs within one point of their opponents, and the Roosters' 53-minute lead came to an end when El Masri muscled his way over for a the match-winning try - his 100th in first-grade. 

A tense battle ensued for the final half hour, with the match-winning play coming with just seconds remaining; Ryan felled runaway Michael Crocker with a inch-perfect ankle tap to force a turnover and seal the Club's eighth Premiership. 

The second rower marked his milestone night with a classy gesture, inviting Price on the podium to help hoist the Premiership trophy in front of a Blue and White sea of 82,127.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16 (Matt Utai 2, Hazem El Masri Tries; Hazem El Masri 2 goals) def Sydney Roosters 13 (Chris Walker, Anthony Minichiello tries; Craig Fitzgibbon 2 goals; Brett Finch field goal)

Bulldogs 2004 Premiers

Captain Steve Price was unavailable due to injury. 

Bulldogs 2004 Season Statistics