2014 NRL Grand Final: Sam Burgess wins the Clive Churchill Medal

Realistically what this is though is, again, forrwad thinking by the AFL.Quite clearly, they have already booked the ground for that Saturday night, realising in advance the the Swans are likely to need the ground.And again, the NRL have been behind the 8-ball and failed to realise what they need to do in order for the ground to be available to them.But, it all comes down to this farcical rule that only impacts on certain Sydney teams (ie, for this final series us and Cronulla) that dictates that the games can't be held at suburban grounds when, realistically, especially for the Cronulla game, it's not getting 20k+ anyway.

He can play without his head butts mate. I can't believe the rules allow head butts. Must be a stupid judiciary and rule-making body.

Here here

Because they know quality when they see it

No it wont - Easts will be nowhere to be seen

That could be said about any team in the NRL - Any team!

I know what your saying and I agree - but their cardinal error was that they were sloppy in their Ennisness. They really missed his gnawing annoyability to get under peoples skin. The grub will always be Reynolds (Josh that is). And Ennis will always be King of the Curs even at the sharks.

roosters supporter

Accidental head clash my derriere. He is very well practiced in how he head butts. The Burgess hit may have been an accident but the hit on Tyrell was delliberate and should be acted upon.

More supporters turn out when their team is winning. Who'd have thought?

Sammy was outstanding but George was the best player on the field, what a beast. Api was fantastic for someone who hasn't played for 8 weeks. Great win Rabbitohs !!!!!!

With huge pointed teeth...

Luv ya work Artie's mum.

Nailed it. I was raised on the stories of Souths great years by my grandmother and dad. They used to talk about just how big their support base was back in the day. Add in a generation or two and allow that to propagate further and it makes it pretty huge. While some of those people may not have actively followed NRL for some time, its the family ties and roots that have garnered them so much emotional support in the past week. Nan passed away in 1992 and I thought more about her last week than I had in years. I know the same reason was behind the fact that both my sisters (who are anything but NRL fans) sat and watched the game last night surrounded by their families as the Rabbitohs legend was further ingrained in the next generation.

So you have to cop deliberate cheap shots and cowardly behavior because you won? Can't even bring it up? I thought this was an opinion website. Way to be gracious in defeat Barry.

Nah not you Steve g. I'm talking about the "fans" that have only been around since 2011, and only profess their love for souths when they make the finals. Like a fair wack of Parramatta fans who only came out of the woodwork when parra played some good games at the beginning of this season, and then profess that they have been long suffering fans.

Don't know where that's coming from or why it bothers you,parrafan...seems like less than 20 or so regularly commentate here..I've been talking them up all week,but no more a fan of them than of the chooks,tigers,knights and dear dear cronulla..just very pleased that the best team won..

i am constantly amazed that people find it strange that the media and so many people likes, support Souths. I have supported Souths since i was ten, I became a supporter because of John Sattler. Like a lot of people at that time there were many many Souths supporters. I remember people climbing all over the roofs of the SCG to see Souths play. Now, Some people complain of Souths bias, They make comments like "Souths love fest", 'media darlings" etc. This is because Souths have the largest supporter base of any leagues club. you can complain about it if you wish, you can hate it if you like. But Souths have a history that is proud. Murdoch didnt understand it, Other clubs dont understand it. We are fighters, we came from poor working class roots, and yes other clubs have this but our roots are older than most others. We have been there through wars , depressions, we adopted the Aboriginal culture before most others, not exclusively but we adopted it early. We had no money when other clubs did and could buy premierships. People relate to Souths. The kids who were watching Souths glory days in the 60,s and early 70,s grew up became leaders in the community and became successful and the love for the Rabbits didnt go away, because of what the John Sattlers gave us back then. I Understand others dont understand our passion for Souths. I also understand Souths fans know what that attachment to Souths is. We have a fluffy bunny for a mascot that attracts kids. We have a long proud history. We have had major success in the past. We have also done more than our share of the hard yards. We have been ridiculed, bullied and laughed at. we have now returned to our glory days after 43 years and people are singing our praises again yet some people still cannot respect us, and that is ok, because fan rivalry is just that, a rivalry. But there is no denying us. for we are the pride of the league.

Shame her other son Luke was not included with his three brothers! It would be be nice to see all four share this great moment on the field together.

congrats to the bunnies - best team of the year by far.