A season of historic firsts and the 'Line in the Sand'
In short: The 2004 AFL season was defined by record-breaking streaks and high-stakes drama. From St Kilda's unprecedented opening run to a legendary brawl sparked by a metaphorical line, the year captured the volatile intersection of sporting history and human emotion.
The 2004 season was a landmark year for the Australian Football League, marking its 108th edition. It saw Port Adelaide secure its first-ever premiership by defeating the Brisbane Lions by 40 points in the Grand Final. The season was also characterized by significant individual achievements, including Chris Judd winning the Brownlow Medal and St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt taking home the Leigh Matthews Trophy. The year was notable for extreme highs and lows. St Kilda began the season with a 10-game winning streak, which stood as a club record until 2009. Conversely, the season featured the 'Line in the Sand' match in round 11, where a five-minute brawl between Hawthorn and Essendon resulted in 27 tribunal charges—the most ever from a single game. This conflict was sparked by Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton, who urged his players to mentally 'draw a line' against the more experienced Bombers. Beyond the on-field action, the season was shaped by external pressures and tragedies. Construction at the MCG for the 2006 Commonwealth Games impacted attendances, while a fatal heart attack suffered by Sydney head trainer Wally Jackson during a round 19 match profoundly affected the team's performance. Furthermore, the season highlighted the power of administrative decisions, such as the contractual agreement forcing Brisbane Lions to play a preliminary final at the MCG, a rule that was eventually renegotiated the following year.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2004 AFL season
- Also: Wikidata — 2004 AFL season · CC0
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