The 2004 pre season saw changes in the Denver Bulldogs board of directors, coaching staff, captaincy, and on the field. Ben Harling stepped down as coach, but remains as a key player. Glenn Rolfe stepped down as President. Dave Kennedy stepped down as secretary taking a leave from the club as he begins a military career. Tim Hilditch stepped down as captain. Much gratitude and respect goes to Ben, Glenn, Tim and Dave as they all have served the club with honor, duty, and sacrifice. The Bulldogs thank you for all you have accomplished for us and with us to make our great club even better.
After winning three of the last four USAFL flags, the ‘Dogs were faced with a challenging 2004 campaign. Hosting a Western qualifier (ANZAC Cup) in late April against San Diego, Orange County, and Phoenix followed a week later with a trip to KC to play the Power and the St Louis Blues; then in July on to New York for games versus the Magpies and Canadian National Squad; in August, a season finale in San Diego for a rematch against their western foes. This was a schedule to prove Denver’s championship reputation. Despite losing 7 of its 2003 premiership squad, Denver felt confident as they approached the season.
| President: | Tom Ellis |
| Vice President: | Chris Candelaria |
| Secretary: | Dave Kennedy |
| Treasurer: | Willi Taylor |
| Juniors: | James Dawe |
| Sponsorship/Marketing: | Alex Rocco |
| Social Club: | Paul Renouf |
| Website: | Willi Taylor |
| Head Coach: | Paul Renouf |
| Asst: | Bruce Durell |
The 2004 season began in mid March as players gathered for informal kicks that led up to the first official training on 20 March, 2004. Many new players are making it out to training showing much promise. Coach Paul Renouf was given a squad of enthusiastic yet inexperienced players tempered with several veterans. A new ground was presented, southeast Denver’s Garland Park, and the Doggies set out for a three-peat.
Early April saw challenging weather with cold rain and heavy snow greeting the ‘Dogs as they hit the track in preparation for the season opener at home. The weekend was scheduled to have San Diego and Orange County attending to play a western region qualifier, but those two teams withdrew a week prior.
Game day dawned with a fresh layer of 5 inches of spring snow; Garland Park was not available due to the heavy snow and the Bulldogs scrambled to locate a suitable ground in short notice. With Arizona waiting and expecting a game, the ‘Dogs ‘procured’ a ground and the game was on. In a scrappy match that barely resembled footy, the ‘Arizona Hawks handed the Bulldogs their first loss in nearly 3 years by a score of 4.2 (26) to 0.2 (2). Although Denver fielded an undermanned and under prepared side Arizona deserve credit for overcoming the conditions and winning the match.
With its first loss on the record Denver eagerly awaited their next games in the KC spring classic. Denver hit the training track hard leading up to the weekend of May 1 and didn’t disappoint, defeating the much stronger St Louis Blues in a very good footy match and shutting out the host KC Power to win their sixth consecutive KC tourney title. The Dogs were now 2-1 and ready for the next challenge.
May and early June saw Denver commence its second season of metro footy, a smaller intra-club comp that allowed its newer less experienced players to gain valuable match experience while keeping senior players’ keen with a diversion from regular training. As metro footy ended in early June, the ‘Dogs began preparations for a trip to New York to play the highly regarded Magpies. Many across the USA consider the ‘Pies the team to beat for the 2004 USAFL flag, so the Denver boys knew they had their work cut out for them. A strong contingent of 22 players made the cross-country journey for the game on July 10. Under perfect conditions, Denver ran out convincing winners 10.7 (67) to 5.6 (36). The Bulldogs were now 3-1 and eagerly awaiting the August western regional qualifier August 14/15 in San Diego and a rematch against Arizona to gain revenge for the April aberration.
Late July also saw the Bulldogs website re-built and updated to make it among the finest in the USAFL. From its origins back in 1998 to today, the ‘Dogs website has always been amongst the best in America. Webmaster Will ‘Sleddawg’ Taylor spent countless hours digging up archives and previously-thought lost records to launch a wealth of information, stats, player profiles, and club history to ensure the legacy of the Denver Bulldogs will continue to be the standard for all Aussie Rules football clubs in the USA.
Much gratitude goes out to Willi for all the personal time sacrificed to work on the new website. Again, he is symbolic of the effort each individual makes for the well being of the club.
As August 2004 arrived the Bulldogs embarked on possibly the most challenging and difficult series of games when they traveled a meager 13 players to the USAFL’s western regional tournament in San Diego. After the disappointing show at the initial leg in April at Denver, five clubs made the trip to the sunny Southern California city. Denver, Orange County, Arizona, San Diego, and Mojave all lined up for what was anticipated to be a great weekend of football. Despite a low amount of players, Denver once again proved they are still the USAFL’s best team. Finding ways to win, as champions do, the ‘Dogs won ugly but still won. All players played a major role in the weekend’s tourney victory, taking three of four games, winning the tournament and solidifying their status as the team to beat.
The next month and a half saw Denver re-focus and work hard towards an unprecedented goal: three USAFL division one premierships in a row, and a record-setting fourth USAFL flag. Led by coach Paul Renouf, the ‘Dogs trained hard and felt ready to go to Atlanta in October to defend their crown.
The Denver Bulldogs won the 2004 USAFL division one premiership, their third in a row, and fourth in five seasons over the weekend of October 9/10 in Atlanta. Denver defeated Atlanta, Orange County, Boston, and the New York Magpies in the grand Final. Despite traveling only 22 players, Denver saw each and every man do something special to ensure victory in every game. Despite strong efforts from all opponents, the ‘Doggies were still good enough to win. Denver’s continued dominance of football in the USA was possibly the most rewarding and satisfying victory in club history. The Bulldogs have once again established a standard of football and club culture that all aspire to copy.
10 wins, 2 Losses
- Best and Fairest: Charley Ellis
- Clubman: Chris Candelaria
- Best Forward: Jed Farley
- Best Defender: Tim Hilditch
Overall Bulldogs Record: 1999-2004
- 86 games played 75 wins 11 losses
- 60 regular season games 52 wins 8 losses
- 26 finals games. 23 wins 3 losses, four National Championships
- 1st USAFL, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004
- 5th USAFL, 1999 3rd USAFL, 2001
- 8 "International" footy games Versus Denver Gaels: 7 wins 1 loss