The prestigious Clive Churchill Medal is awarded to the best on the field in the biggest day in the NRL: grand final day.
It is one of those awards you will be lucky to have on your resume, and one of those awards you may long for in order to put you in the discussion of rugby league greats.
I am going to look at the most controversial Clive Churchill medalists in the last 20 years and dissect why they did not deserve it.
Twenty players have received this award in that time frame and here are the final five I have chosen. They may have won it in controversial fashion.
5. 2013 – Daly Cherry-Evans
One of two players in this time frame to win the award in a losing side, Cherry-Evans was undoubtedly brilliant on this night. However, due to the result and how he played, James Maloney definitely should have won that award on that night. He started off rough with a kick out of on the full, but he composed himself and had his hand in three tries, and kicked four goals from four attempts. Redeeming himself from his 2011 loss with the Warriors, Maloney was brilliant in controlling a star-studded Roosters side, only to be outdone by Clive Churchill medalist Cherry-Evans. If there were an award for second best on the field, Cherry-Evans was a sure thing. He was easily Manly’s best.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
4. 2016 – Luke Lewis
Cronulla broke the drought in one of the most intense finishes in grand final history. Once the Storm took the lead with a Will Chambers try, they were comfortably in charge. A lot of Sharks fans will tell you the same thing as well. The thing that changed the game was a vicious and strong-willed run by Andrew Fifita, who scored one of the most unexpected tries, forcing his way to the line with three or four strong defenders on him. It looked as if it were a simple sitter of a run, which then turned into the game-changing try. Not only was that try vital, Fifita was large the entire game. The eventual winner, Luke Lewis, provided good pressure on Blake Green for the majority of the game, and was strong as he always is, however Fifita was due not only for the try but because of his overall game. Fifita ran for a massive 210 metres and never showed up to a very strong Storm pack.
3. 2017 – Billy Slater
The story had it all. Missing the back end of 2015 and then playing only one game in the 2016 season, Slater was coming off severe shoulder injuries. Missing out on the prelim loss in 2015 and a shock grand final loss in 2016, Slater was aiming to make it back, and then come back with a vengeance. On the night of the grand final win for the Storm in 2017, Slater scored a try and had a hand in another.
Undoubtedly, he was great. But Cameron Smith deserved the medal. He controlled the game and came out as a runner, with nine runs early in the game. He ended up with a season-high 133 metres, which is very rare for him. He had 41 tackles, a handful of conversions, and provided a great pass for a Dale Finucane try. Smith definitely deserved a Clive Churchill Medal if anyone did in this game. Again, if there was a second best on field award, Slater was a sure thing. Smith should have won it on this particular night.
2. 2019 – Jack Wighton
This wasn’t as controversial as it needed to be. Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was told he was due the Clive Churchill Medal, only to be blind-sided for eventual winner Jack Wighton. Wighton was undoubtedly the best player on the field. Someone else did not deserve it, as he had a blinder of a game. If the Roosters were to produce a Clive Churchill Medal winner from that particular night, Waerea-Hargreaves was indeed an option. So too was Luke Keary, who seems to love the big lights. I agree with this decision, but it was so controversial. It was almost as controversial as the six-again call…
Jack Wighton of the Raiders scores a try during the 2019 NRL grand final. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
1. 2015 – Johnathan Thurston
Thurston did not deserve the Clive Churchill Medal in 2015. I can think of two, three or even four players who deserved it over the chosen one on this night. Thurston was quiet the entire night, and attempted to make the big play, in which his half partner Michae Morgan ended up coming up with the big play. For some reason, it just all fell his way that night. After the Kyle Feldt try, the opportunity to win it was taken away, but then he was given another chance with the Ben Hunt drop, and then Lachlan Coote possibly gave up a chance he could have slotted himself.
It just seemed to all fall his way that night. The greats don’t need an invitation, they will take it, as Thurston did. He did slot the game-winning field goal, and did provide Townsville with their sole championship, but he did have a lot of help. Jake Granville absolutely terrorised the Broncos when he was on and they could not keep up with his speed. Michael Morgan came up with the big play. He was brilliant. Boom forward Jason Taumalolo was absolutely immense, showcasing what we are now accustomed too.
The best player on the field was on the losing side: Anthony Milford. He had the game of his life, and was involved in everything, with his partner Hunt being very quiet. Milford was a deserved winner of the Clive Churchill Medal in 2015, and I would put Thurston as probably third or fourth in line for the award that night.
Controversy comes hand in hand with the game of rugby league, and the awarding of such a prestigious award will always be controversial. But sometimes the people in charge of voting for the award get it so wrong.
Mike B
Guest
I think that's a fair comment. It should be an absolutely extraordinary situation where a player from the losing side wins. Perhaps to the point where it only happened once or twice in history. It seems to have happened far too often. I think it should go to the player that had the biggest role in the result of the game. The player, who if he hadn't played the result may have been different.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! that 1991 award was a joke. Clyde was probably Canberra's best, but Royce Simmons with two tries and a million tackles, lifting his team to the end, should have won that award.
ppa19696837
Roar Rookie
I think the winner must always come from the winning side!!! To the victors goes the spoils... In the two games I saw (2023/2019) both players were worthy... but not enough to get their team home and in Wightons case, I think some of his options were the reason the Raiders lost despite having so much possession, field position and the opportunity to play against 12 men! Great player.... great game... but not great enough to get victory. JWH was a machine...... would have been equal to Wighton and being the winners... to the victors go the spoils!
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
Regarding 2015, I think what cost Milford was the last play of regular time. He let Morgan get on his outside and at that point his speed and strength was always going to be too much to deal with. Granville was great in the first half, but he was tired in the second half and his passing was off. As a Cowboys fan, I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch a replay of 2017. My first impressions were that Billy Slater deserved the award. His first half, where I think the Storm really won the game, was excellent. The first 20 minutes were a real grind with Melbourne getting gradually on top. His kick returns were extremely important. Then it was his attack that prised the game wide open. As usual, Cameron Smith’s contribution was likely more subtle and perhaps if I watched it again I might agree he was dudded for the award, but I won’t watch it again. A couple of years ago I wanted to write an article for the roar about one player in each side that you just can’t hate. Luke Lewis was going to be the player from Cronulla, an easy choice because Cronulla was full of players people love to hate. The Clive Churchill Medal of 2016 was going to be evidence to support my claim. Fifita with his massive metres and match winning try, or Smith with 70+ tackles to keep Melbourne in the match in the first half, were both more deserving winners, but Luke Lewis won it simply for being a top bloke!
JGK
Roar Guru
Beat me to it. Locks called Brad in the losing team seem to be a thing for the CCM.
JGK
Roar Guru
Smith was great in that GF.
Muzz
Guest
The 2013 CC medal was a farce.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Darius should have quit while he was ahead.
Rob
Guest
CC medals are probably more sentimental PR awards and certainly the ones you have mentioned in recent years were award on that criteria. They look great on the CV when you’re having a discussion about how good or a player was in their day. In regards to the 2015 award I thought Milford was fantastic for 70min. Adam Blair, James Tamou, Justin O’Neil were very good also. JT had a bludger of a game TBH. He was carrying an injury unfortunately. It was an award given for years of torment trying to achieve premiership success. Granville threw the first and only pass on 2 tries and tackled he tail off. The Cowboys scored all their points when he was on the field and nothing when he was off from memory. Fafita was the man in 2016 but I’m glad they didn’t find a way of giving it to Gallen.
Sam
Guest
Paul Harragon in 97 and Tawera Nikau in 99
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
Bradley Clyde's second win in 1991 was easily as if not more controversial, not so much for performance reasons but for the fact the votes were collated with 20 minutes to go when Canberra were still leading 12-6.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good memory Matt
matth
Roar Guru
Thanks, good article. Another one was Brad Mackay 1993. Certainly a solid effort, but Brisbane were in control of that match.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Milford was the best on field in 2015, no doubt in my mind. Thurston was well down the list , he had a much better game in their loss to the GF Tigers I seem to recall. His field goal was exceptional however , because it fell to the ground at an awkward angle and he adjusted under maximum fatigue and pressure to kick the winner.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Yes Willie, as much as I'm not a fan of his i do think Fifita was the best player for Cronulla in their maiden premiership win. Milford's never played like that again, every year it's the same old same old at the Broncos, expecting Milford to finally fire be at fullback or five eighth.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good read Willie and right on the money. How do they come up with some of these results. Another I'd throw in is Darius Boyd's win in 2010 against the Roosters. Yes, he had an excellent season and a good game, but wasn't close to outplaying either Ben Hornby or Jeremy Smith. Hornby controlled the game and executed Bennett's second half plan to perfection, and came up with the key plays when needed. Smith took on the Roosters pack and dominated them. It's a real shame when the guy who deserves the award misses out.