 The 2004 NRL season was Darren Lockyer's first in the position of five-eighth and Gorden Tallis' last as captain.The Broncos started the season by defeating the New Zealand Warriors 28-20 in Round 1, only to lose their next match against the Parramatta Eels by 26-18.The Broncos then won their next five matches, including a controversial match against the Tigers, during which the Broncos appeared to field 14 men at one stage of the match.