2004 AFL Grand Final — Port Adelaide End Brisbane Three-Peat Bid

The 2004 AFL Grand Final saw Port Adelaide defeat Brisbane Lions 17.11 (113) to 10.13 (73) at the MCG — a 40-point margin that ended the Lions’ bid for four consecutive premierships. Played on 25 September 2004 in front of 77,671 fans (smaller than usual due to scheduling), the Power’s premiership was their first AFL flag and a fitting reward for Mark Williams’s coaching tenure. Byron Pickett won the Norm Smith Medal — a powerful, no-frills win for Port’s Indigenous wingman.

The Build-Up: Lions Three-Peat Threat

Brisbane Lions had won the 2001, 2002, and 2003 premierships under Leigh Matthews — the only modern three-peat. A fourth would have been unprecedented since Collingwood’s 1927-1930 dynasty. The Lions entered the 2004 finals as defending champions but had shown signs of fatigue late in the home-and-away season.

Port Adelaide, under Mark Williams, had been the AFL’s bridesmaid for years — multiple finals appearances without a flag. The Power’s 2004 home-and-away campaign had been imperious; they’d won the McClelland Trophy and entered the Grand Final as favourites.

The Match: Port’s Coronation

Port Adelaide started fast and dominated. Byron Pickett’s pressure, Warren Tredrea’s contested marking, and Gavin Wanganeen’s class around the contest all combined for an early Power lead. The Lions’ veteran legs couldn’t cover the ground; the Power’s youth (Domenic Cassisi, Brendon Lade, Stuart Cochrane) produced.

By half-time the Power led by 25 points. The third quarter — the “premiership quarter” — extended the lead. The Lions’ Michael Voss, Jonathan Brown, Simon Black and Nigel Lappin all played hard, but Port Adelaide’s depth was decisive.

Final score: Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) defeated Brisbane Lions 10.13 (73) — a 40-point margin.

The Norm Smith Medal: Byron Pickett

The 2004 Norm Smith went to Byron Pickett of Port Adelaide. Pickett’s 23 disposals, 2 goals, and signature heavy-tackling pressure earned the recognition. Pickett was a Northern Territory Indigenous wingman whose work-rate and bone-shaking tackles defined Port’s identity.

The Premiership Coach: Mark Williams

Mark Williams collected his first (and only) Jock McHale Medal. “Choco” Williams’s coaching tenure (1999–2010) was one of the most-debated in modern footy — high-water years (2004 flag) and low-water years (post-2007 decline). The 2004 win was vindication for a long building period.

Famous Moments

• Byron Pickett’s bone-shaking tackles — Norm Smith winning.
• Warren Tredrea’s contested marks — Power’s spearhead.
• Gavin Wanganeen’s class around the stoppage.
• Mark Williams’s “choking” gesture after the siren — his now-infamous post-Grand Final embrace with critics.
• Michael Voss’s defiant 30 disposals — Lions’ captain in defeat.
• Simon Black’s midfield masterclass — silver-medal Norm Smith.
• Jonathan Brown’s 3 goals — Lions’ key forward producing.
• The post-match Power celebration — first AFL flag.
• Mark Williams’s emotional Cup lift.
• Leigh Matthews’s gracious post-match — Lions’ three-peat era ending.

Trivia for the Pub

• Date: 25 September 2004, MCG.
• Final: Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) defeated Brisbane Lions 10.13 (73).
• Margin: 40 points.
• Crowd: 77,671.
• Norm Smith: Byron Pickett.
• Jock McHale: Mark Williams (first and only).
• Port Adelaide’s first AFL premiership.
• The result ended Brisbane’s bid for four consecutive premierships (would have matched Collingwood’s 1927-1930 record).
• Byron Pickett’s tackling style defined Port Adelaide’s “Power” identity.
• Mark Williams’s “choke” celebration referenced his critics’ “you’ll choke” pre-Grand Final criticism.

The Rumours and Aftermath

The 2004 result ended the Brisbane three-peat era. The Lions wouldn’t return to a Grand Final until well into the 2020s; the 2024 flag was their first since 2003.

For Port Adelaide, 2004 was the Power’s defining moment. Subsequent years brought 2007 Grand Final loss to Geelong (the 119-point margin) and a long decline. The 2004 flag remains the Power’s only AFL premiership.

Mark Williams’s “choke” celebration became one of the most-replayed Grand Final moments — equal parts vindication and pettiness. The gesture referenced media commentary that he’d never deliver a premiership.

The Verdict

The 2004 AFL Grand Final was Port Adelaide’s defining moment — first AFL flag, Byron Pickett’s bone-shaking Norm Smith, and the end of the Brisbane three-peat era. Long live the 2004 Power.