CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

Ahead of tonight’s blockbuster rugby league Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and The Melbourne Storm, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has decided to save time by presenting the Clive Churchill medal to Storm fullback Billy Slater before the tonight’s match has even taken place.

The Clive Churchill Medal is the award given to the player judged to be man-of-the-match in the National Rugby League’s annual Grand Final. The award was created to honour Clive Churchill, one of the greatest rugby league players in Australian history, following his death in 1985. A prestigious honour in the NRL, the medal’s recipient is chosen by the selectors of the Australian national team and announced and awarded to the player judged best and fairest on the ground at every post-grand final ceremony.

This year, in adherence with the fairytale narrative that has seen the North Queensland rugby league icon survive, the award will be given to Billy Slater – regardless of the result of tonight’s match.

In fact, it’s such a sure bet that Greenberg has already gone ahead and given it to him before they have even put their jersey’s

While arriving early at ANZ stadium to wish the retiring fullback good luck ahead of his final NRL match, Greenberg thought he’d just give him the medal now to avoid the fanfare and make sure he keeps it safe.

“Here you go mate, while I’ve got you here…” says Greenberg, while rummaging through his products for the prestigious man of the match medal.

“Good luck out there. We’ll do our part, but just lay off the shoulder charges”