The Clive Churchill Medal is awarded to the Man of the Match in the Grand Final. It is one of the most prestigious individual honours in Rugby League.
| Market | Preview |
|---|---|
| Best Bets | Match Preview & Best Bets |
| Tryscorers | Clive Churchill Medal Tips |
| NRLW Grand Final | Norm Smith Medal Tips |
| State Championship | State Championship Tips |
Best Bet
Let’s first of all look at the profile of players who win the Clive Churchill Medal. It will guide us significantly when looking at best bets.
- 35 of 38 winners had played Origin/Test football prior to winning
- 4 winners from losing team (from 37)
- 0 back-to-back winners
Let’s also look at the positions of winners and the last time someone from that position won the award.
Fullback: 7 winners, 3 in last decade, last 2022
Wing: 0 winners
Centre: 0 winners
Five-Eighth: 4 winners, 2 in last decade, last 2019
Halfback: 12 winners, 4 in last decade, last 2023
Hooker: 2 winners, 0 in last decade, last 2006
Prop: 3 winners, 0 in last decade, last 2008
Second Row: 4 winners, 1 in last decade, last in 2016
Lock: 6 winners, 0 in last decade, last in 2014
So essentially what we are looking for is a rep player from the winning team, preferably playing in the halves or at fullback and definitely not playing in the three-quarter line. Halves an fullbacks have won seven straight.
That leaves us with the obvious selection of Nathan Cleary as the best bet. Cleary ticks every box though will need to break history with a win giving him a record third Churchill and making him the first to win back-to-backs. Given the form slump – relative – of Dylan Edwards and the lack of other winning chances, Cleary looks a great value bet.
Next Best
Isaah Yeo is a player who very much fits the mould of a winner when it does not go to a dominant playmaker. Those types are always rep players renowned for their toughness and work ethic with usually very impressive numbers. Yeo ticks every box. Locks don’t win often but when they do they are in the Yeo mould: 80-minute players with big numbers who defend tough and do enough with the ball.
Value Bet
Jarome Luai plays his last game for the Panthers, a club he has enjoyed so much success with, and while he probably lacks the big-play capability to win the award, he ticks every other box. He is a massive price for a half.
