Ryan Papenhuyzen has been awarded the 2020 Clive Churchill medal as man of the match for the 2020 NRL grand final.
The Melbourne Storm fullback had a match-high 208 running metres, while also scoring what would prove to be the match-winning try with a huge run early in the second half.
The 22-year-old also defused three kicks, while having 28 kick return metres, 38 post-contact metres, one line break and a line break assist.
It’s the third time out of six grand final wins a Storm fullback has won the Clive Churchill medal, with Billy Slater winning the award in 2009 and 2017. Cooper Cronk took home the award in 2012, with Greg Inglis winning it in 2007 and Brett Kimmorley saluting in 1999.
It caps off a superb season for the Sydney native, who is set to be named in the New South Wales State of Origin squad after a stellar year.
There was plenty of speculation, especially at half time, that Storm veteran Cameron Smith would be awarded the medal by default due to his speculated upcoming retirement – but it was not to be. If Smith does retire, the Clive Churchill will be one of a very small handful of honours that has eluded him.
elvis
Roar Rookie
It's close enough.
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
NAS doesn't get the credit he is due. He is a force of nature, enormous, fast, tough and talented with ball in hand. Wouldn't swap him for any other forward, and he's only going to get better...
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Its become intolerable... the call on ABC radio is brilliant but it just doesn't sync with the images...
andrew
Roar Rookie
Ch.9 should seriously reconsider Gould's position as a commentator. Like last week's game against Souths,his pro Penrith bias is a real turn off. Papenhausen was a deserved winner.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Happy for Paps, he just seems genuinely shocked by the win and the position that he is in after debuting last year. Was definitely the best player on the park and deserved the CC medal.
AJL.
Roar Pro
Tonight's commentary was seriously the perfect ad for Fox or Kayo. Honestly kind of dreading having to listen to those gibberers for Origin.
ethan
Guest
He was great. Thought NAS was huge as well.
The Barry
Roar Guru
At half time I thought Smith was probably in the lead but the right decision was made Papenhuyzen was clearly the best player on the park
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Well deserved, Paps. What a great player. Absorbs all the bashing, then scores 90 metre tries.
Emcie
Roar Guru
The commentary improved immensly after the 80 minute mark
elvis
Roar Rookie
I couldn’t take it any more and listened to the rest of the match in silence. The commentary was pathetic. And my comment makes more sense if I mention that the clip of Johns whinging about obstruction was at the top of the article.
AJL.
Roar Pro
Very well deserved. The judges got this one right.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thank God for that. Smith played well but that's it.