Every Clive Churchill Medal winner since 2000: Why Nathan Cleary singled out 'freak' opponent
2000 - Darren Lockyer
The Maroons great won the award in Brisbane's 14-6 win over the Roosters, in the last day grand final for NRL fans.
Lockyer was all class, setting up Brisbane's first try and at the time was just the second fullback to receive the award.
"Whenever you play in a grand final you just want to win first, and any individual aim comes after that," Lockyer said.
"It's a big honour and I'm over the moon, but I'd just like to share it with the rest of the guys."
2001 - Andrew Johns
In a near-perfect first half performance that set up Newcastle's 30-24 win over hot favourites Parramatta, Andrew Johns proved his value in that year's decider.
The Eels had been the best team all year but the Knights ambushed them to lead 24-0 at the break as Johns masterminded Newcastle's second premiership in four years.
"We were big outsiders," Johns recalled for Immortal Behaviour in 2021.
"You see the highlights of it, and the way we were all reacting after tries.
"It's hard to put into words that feeling of elation and it all coming together."
2002 - Craig Fitzgibbon
It was third time lucky for Craig Fitzgibbon (left) when he ended his run of grand final frustrations with a premiership and the Clive Churchill Medal in the Sydney Roosters' 30-8 triumph over the Warriors.
Fitzgibbon scored tries in grand final defeats for St George Illawarra in 1999 and the Roosters in 2000, but his performance in 2002 was one to remember.
The 25-year-old goalkicking second-rower staked his claim for a Test call-up for Australia with 14 points from a try in the 65th minute and five conversions from five attempts.
2003 - Luke Priddis
Penrith's first premiership in 12 years saw Luke Priddis awarded the gong following the 18-6 win over the Roosters.
The slippery hooker was everywhere in attack and defence for Penrith, where he scored a try, set up two others, ran 132 metres and completed 47 tackles.
Scott Sattler is remembered for his try-saving tackle that night, but Priddis' performance over 80 minutes earned him the man of the match award.
2004 - Willie Mason
Without club stalwart Steve Price in the line up for that year's decider due to injury, Mason said he felt pressure all week
"I felt the pressure all week, everyone was telling me this and that and people were ringing me up saying I had to lead now that Pricey was out, but I spoke to him on the bus and he just said to play my own game, that I am a leader naturally and don't try and be the leader. I was shitting myself, but in the end the words he gave me helped," Mason said. "It was a crazy effort all year."
2005 - Scott Prince
In what was arguably one of the best seasons by a team this century, the Tigers did the unthinkable in 2005, going all the way.
Benji Marshall and Scott Prince were huge, with Prince taking out the Clive Churchill.
The Wests Tigers captain crowned a memorable week after the GF win, with selection in the Australian team.
2006 - Shaun Berrigan
Brisbane's Shaun Berrigan, playing in his new role as hooker, received the Clive Churchill Medal for man-of-the-match in the Broncos' 15-8 win over the Storm.
His dummy half raids and strong defence were seen as instrumental in his team's victory.
Debuting in 1999, Berrigan played in the centres and halves but in 2006 Wayne Bennett produced a tactical masterstroke, moving Berrigan to hooker.
It worked a treat.
2007 - Greg Inglis
Winning a Clive Churchill Medal out of position said plenty about Greg Inglis.
Craig Bellamy gave Inglis his NRL debut in 2005 on the wing, and just two years later he won the Churchill Medal as a five-eighth.
"Greg wasn't a five-eighth – he was a fullback or centre and it was really tough for him when we asked him to play five-eighth in 2007," Bellamy told NRL.com.
"But he won the Clive Churchill Medal in the grand final that year, when it wasn't his best position. That says heaps about his ability and talent."
2008 - Brent Kite
Brent Kite won the 2008 Clive Churchill Medal in Manly's 40-0 thumping of Melbourne, his 167 metres and 26 tackles laying the platform for the Sea Eagles' dominant win.
Kite crossed for one of Manly's eight tries, as the Storm, minus suspended captain Cameron Smith, were humiliated.
Craig Bellamy's decision earlier that year to overlook Kite for the New South Wales team came back to bite the Storm mentor, with the front-rower outstanding in the big dance.
2009 - Billy Slater
Slater won the award a couple of times, the first being in 2009 in Melbourne's 23-16 win over Parramatta.
But the man himself thought otherwise after having the medal put around his neck.
"I feel like I don't deserve to wear it … Cooper Cronk deserved it," Slater said after the match.
