Clive Churchill Medal Tips & Predictions

Andrew Hendrie: Jan 26, 2024

The Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos face off for the NRL premiership in Sunday night’s Grand Final and we’ve made our selections for the Clive Churchill Medal winner for best on ground.

Clive Churchill Medal free tips and predictions – who will be named man of the match and awarded the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal?

Clive Churchill Medal Tips

If we take a look at previous Clive Churchill Medal winners by position, there’s a clear advantage if you back a halfback or fullback.

Clive Churchill Medal Winners By Position

Halfback: 11
Fullback: 7
Lock: 6
Five-Eighth: 4
Second Row: 4
Prop: 3
Hooker: 2
Centre: 0
Wing: 0

Going on history, we can put a line through the centres and wingers. Hookers and props are also slim pickings, so we’ll be focusing on the spine, specifically halfback and fullback.

It obviously comes as no surprise that Nathan Cleary is the heavy $3.40 favourite with bet365. Cleary has been strong since returning from a hamstring injury and put on a masterclass in the finals victories over the Warriors and Storm.

Cleary picked up the Clive Churchill Medal when the Panthers won the Grand Final in 2021 and if they are to emerge victorious again, the star No. 7 will no doubt be leading the way. Can’t see Dylan Edwards winning back-to-back medals, so Cleary is the most likely Panther to take home the honours if Penrith do indeed make it a three-peat.

However, we think the Broncos are an excellent chance of causing the upset here, so we’ve got two selections – fullback Reece Walsh and veteran halfback Adam Reynolds.

Walsh has been electric all season and has the unique ability to change and win a game on his own. Those sorts of plays, if they come to fruition, can easily lead to Clive Churchill Medal consideration. A moment of individual brilliance from Walsh to win the Broncos a Grand Final is certainly realistic.

On the other hand, Reynolds is the calm, veteran leader. He’s won a Grand Final with the Rabbitohs before and is key to guiding this young Broncos team around the paddock. His kicking game will be instrumental to building pressure and securing back-to-back sets, as will his goalkicking battle with Nathan Cleary, which could prove pivotal in a close game.

If the Broncos are to prevail, Reynolds will likely have produced one of the great Grand Final performances from a veteran halfback.