What's New in 2004

2004 Magarery Medalist
Paul Thomas of Central Districts won the Best and Fairest in the SANFL Competition.
A cover was released by StampOz.

WAFL Grand Final
On 19th September 2004 at Subiaco the home side defeated Claremont in the WAFL Grand Final. A Commemorative Cover was released by First Class Collectables.

Preliminary Final
On 17th September 2004 at AAMI Stadium, Port Adelaide won their way into their First Grand Final by defeating St Kilda by 6 points. The loss marked the 300th Game for Robert Harvey.
Both covers were released by First Class Collectables.

Channel 9 SA 45th Anniversary
On 8th September 2004 Channel Nine South Australia released a SES commemorating their 45th Anniversary of their going to air. The Sheet margin contained the headline "NWS-9 Wins Sole TV Footy Rights." and a picture of former Crow's Captain, Mark Bickley. The stamp selvedge showed Kym Dillon, their sports reporter and former SANFL Footballer in the Early Days and the Present  postmarked by the Nine Commemorative Postmark. Australia Post also approved a Slogan PM and inkject Cancel. First Class Collectables released a cover Kym Dillon in the Early Days and the Present.

All Australian Team
The All Australian Team was chosen on the 7th September 2004. It forms the basis on the team to play Ireland in the International Series. Also chosen was the Coleman Medalist, Fraser Gehrig, the Goal of the Year, Daniel Wells and Mark of the Year, Ashley Sampi. Covers were released by First Class Collectables.

National Rising Star
On the 1st September 2004 Jared Rivers from Melbourne was declared the National Rising Star for new talent in the AFL.
A Commemorative Cover was released by First Class Collectables. 

Showdown XVI.
port  Adelaide defeated Adelaide by 25 points in Showdown XVI played at AAMI Stadium on the 29th August 2004.
A Commemorative Cover of Tredrea  was released by First Class Collectables.

Alistair Lynch 300 Games
On the 17th July 2004 at the MCG, Brisbane defeated Collingwood. The game also marked Alistair Lynch's 300th AFL Game.
A Commemorative Cover of Alistair Lynch was released by First Class Collectables. 

Junction Park Stamp Club
6th July 2004 marked the 30th anniversary of the Junction Park Stamp Club. They released a set of four covers with sports from the July 1974 Non Olympic Sports Issue, including Australian Football, as the cachet.

Tasmanian Team of the Century
On the 25th June 2004 at the Wrest Point Casino, the Tasmanian Team of the Century was named.
A Commemorative Cover was released by First Class Collectables. 

Nigel Smart Retires
On the 21st June 2004 at AAMI Stadium after 278 games, Nigel Smart, the last original Crow retires.
A Commemorative Cover of Nigel Smart was released by First Class Collectables. 

Wayne Carey Retires
On the 12th June 2004 at Subiaco Wayne Carey played his last game for the Crows in a season hampered by injury.
A Commemorative Cover was released by First Class Collectables. 

Jason Akermanis 200 Games
On the 12th June 2004 at the Telstra Dome, Brisbane defeated Essendon. The game also marked Jason Akermanis' 200th AFL Game.
A Commemorative Cover of Jason Akermanis was released by First Class Collectables. 

AFL Hall of Fame
On the 7th June 2004 five new players were inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame. They were Doug Hawkins, Phil Matson, Jack Moriaty, Deniston Marshall and Carl Dietrich.
First Class Collectables released covers to commemorate the inductees.

Gavin Wanganeen 300 Games
On the 31st May 2004 at AAMI Stadium, Port Adelaide defeated Geelong. The game also marked Gavin Wanganeen's 300th AFL Game.
A Commemorative Cover of Gavin Wanganeen was released by First Class Collectables. 

Mark Ricciuto 250 Games
On the 29th May 2004 at the MCG, Adelaide defeated Hawthorn. The game also marked Mark Ricciuto's 250th AFL Game.
A Commemorative Cover of Mark Ricciuto was released by First Class Collectables. 

Showdown XV.
After seven successive loses, Adelaide defeated Port by 37 points in Showdown XV played at AAMI Stadium on the 8th May 2004. The game also marked Andrew McLeod's 200 AFL Game.
A Commemorative Cover of Andrew McLeod  was released by First Class Collectables.         

Premiership Players Club
Captain Blood, Jack Dyer, along with 19 other premiership players appeared on a limited edition Souvenir Sheet released on 24th March 2004. For the first time it featured a deceased player by special permission of Dwyer's Family. Unfortunately Footscray's Wally Donald, a member of their Team of the Century and Vice Captain of their 1954 Premiership Side also passed away prior to the event. It also included three current players, Alistair Lynch, David King and Glen Jakovich.

Wizard Cup
On 13th March 2004 he much improved Saint Kilda defeated Geelong in the Pre season Competition, the Wizard Cup. The Saints won 1.14.5.98 to 1.10.7.76. First Class Collectables issued a Cover to commemorate the win.

Sweet victory for Collingwood in Year of the Monkey
Two of Collingwood’s stars, Chris Tarrant and Brodie Holland, are hoping that being born in the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Monkey will bode well for their team in 2004, with Australia Post and Chinese Astrologer Liu Dan teaming up to predict their fortunes at the launch of Australia Post’s special Year of the Monkey stamp series on the 6th January 2004.
Australia Post Media Release.