Best Clive Churchill Performances

[pennywisealfie]

Kev Walters should have 2 but he has 0. Was easily best on ground in 93 and 98. Won instead by Brad Mackay and Tallis respectively.

Also its been ages since I've watched 2001, but wasn't Bill Peden or Ben Kennedy more deserving than Joey?

 

[King hit]

Kev Walters should have 2 but he has 0. Was easily best on ground in 93 and 98. Won instead by Brad Mackay and Tallis respectively.

Also its been ages since I've watched 2001, but wasn't Bill Peden or Ben Kennedy more deserving than Joey?

Johns was very deserving in 2001. His leadership and kicking game was instrumental. Peden and Kennedy did play great games just think Joey was the icing of it.

 

[Big Pete]

My recollection of 2015 was that the award should have gone to James Tamou. It would have been Jake Granville had he played as well in his second stint but he got nervous and was pretty fortunate the bounce pass to JT worked out.

Still, Thurston played a big role in that win. The kicking game was a point of difference between the two teams, especially in the second half and the Broncos struggled to get out of their own end. I think after JT caused the turn-over on Gillett, they got one set and Boyd threw a loose pass to Oates that was spilled.

Meanwhile the Cowboys were earning repeat sets and tested the Broncos defence until they finally got them to crack late.

Either way I'm just glad it went to a Cowboy. There was talk about Milford being best on field and he played great but to the victor goes the spoils.

 

[Marshall_magic]

My recollection of 2015 was that the award should have gone to James Tamou. It would have been Jake Granville had he played as well in his second stint but he got nervous and was pretty fortunate the bounce pass to JT worked out.

Still, Thurston played a big role in that win. The kicking game was a point of difference between the two teams, especially in the second half and the Broncos struggled to get out of their own end. I think after JT caused the turn-over on Gillett, they got one set and Boyd threw a loose pass to Oates that was spilled.

Meanwhile the Cowboys were earning repeat sets and tested the Broncos defence until they finally got them to crack late.

Either way I'm just glad it went to a Cowboy. There was talk about Milford being best on field and he played great but to the victor goes the spoils.

It is a tough game to judge. Brisbane tried to defend a lead for the whole second half, and until the final play of the match, they did it pretty well. Apart from Linnett bombing a try the Cowboys were fairly well contained. One of those games where across both teams where there were a lot of good performances that you could poke a big hole in. Thurston had the feel good factor about him though which was probably enough.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

My recollection of 2015 was that the award should have gone to James Tamou. It would have been Jake Granville had he played as well in his second stint but he got nervous and was pretty fortunate the bounce pass to JT worked out.

Still, Thurston played a big role in that win. The kicking game was a point of difference between the two teams, especially in the second half and the Broncos struggled to get out of their own end. I think after JT caused the turn-over on Gillett, they got one set and Boyd threw a loose pass to Oates that was spilled.

Meanwhile the Cowboys were earning repeat sets and tested the Broncos defence until they finally got them to crack late.

Either way I'm just glad it went to a Cowboy. There was talk about Milford being best on field and he played great but to the victor goes the spoils.

Michael Morgan was the real MVP of that game. Him not getting the CC medal is still the biggest injustice in RL history

 

[Desert Qlder]

My recollection of 2015 was that the award should have gone to James Tamou. It would have been Jake Granville had he played as well in his second stint but he got nervous and was pretty fortunate the bounce pass to JT worked out.

Still, Thurston played a big role in that win. The kicking game was a point of difference between the two teams, especially in the second half and the Broncos struggled to get out of their own end. I think after JT caused the turn-over on Gillett, they got one set and Boyd threw a loose pass to Oates that was spilled.

Meanwhile the Cowboys were earning repeat sets and tested the Broncos defence until they finally got them to crack late.

Either way I'm just glad it went to a Cowboy. There was talk about Milford being best on field and he played great but to the victor goes the spoils.

Taumalolo’s GF workload was impressive - 178 run metres and 30 tackles in that Grand Final.

As always, Taumalolo was a central piece in the go‑forward that set the platform for all the moments. Classic “engine room” work that kept the Cowboys in arm wrestles all night. The type that has people losing their minds over Haas but Taumalolo just always produces without the same fuss.

I do laugh at the strange myth that's taken hold - that Jonathan Thurston was somehow “the worst player on the field” in the 2015 NRL Grand Final. It’s a claim so far removed from reality it's gone stupid. Most probably only watched the game once of course.

You're right Thurston dominated the second half through his kicking game alone, constantly turning Brisbane around and forcing them to start their sets deep in their own territory. The Broncos spent much of that period just hanging on, and it was Thurston’s orchestration that kept the Cowboys within striking distance. If not for dickfingers Linnett you've got a masterfully orchestrated game-winning play set up by Thurston. Maybe the CCM was stretching it, I'd have given it to Taumalolo personally.

But the criticism has gone into the absurd - "biggest injustice in RL history" for example.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Taumalolo’s GF workload was impressive - 178 run metres and 30 tackles in that Grand Final.

As always, Taumalolo was a central piece in the go‑forward that set the platform for all the moments. Classic “engine room” work that kept the Cowboys in arm wrestles all night. The type that has people losing their minds over Haas but Taumalolo just always produces without the same fuss.

I do laugh at the strange myth that's taken hold - that Jonathan Thurston was somehow “the worst player on the field” in the 2015 NRL Grand Final. It’s a claim so far removed from reality it's gone stupid. Most probably only watched the game once of course.

You're right Thurston dominated the second half through his kicking game alone, constantly turning Brisbane around and forcing them to start their sets deep in their own territory. The Broncos spent much of that period just hanging on, and it was Thurston’s orchestration that kept the Cowboys within striking distance. If not for dickfingers Linnett you've got a masterfully orchestrated game-winning play set up by Thurston. Maybe the CCM was stretching it, I'd have given it to Taumalolo personally.

But the criticism has gone into the absurd - "biggest injustice in RL history" for example.

Thurston has said publicly that he felt embarrassed getting the CC Medal for that Grand Final as he didn't think he deserved it. He felt others played better than he did. Its not that he was bad, just that other players had better performances during that game.

 

[Desert Qlder]

Thurston has said publicly that he felt embarrassed getting the CC Medal for that Grand Final as he didn't think he deserved it. He felt others played better than he did. Its not that he was bad, just that other players had better performances during that game.

This is captain obvious territory. We already know Thurston is a humble and honourable man. He also gave Steve Price his ring.

I too stated I'd have given it to someone else, but challenged the 'wOrsT pLayEr oN ThE FieLD' meme.

 

[Valheru]

This is captain obvious territory. We already know Thurston is a humble and honourable man. He also gave Steve Price his ring.

I too stated I'd have given it to someone else, but challenged the 'wOrsT pLayEr oN ThE FieLD' meme.

Who has said worst on the field?

Not top 10 is regular commentary which still leaves up to 23 players he was better than.

 

[T-Boon]

Also its been ages since I've watched 2001, but wasn't Bill Peden or Ben Kennedy more deserving than Joey?

Yes. But they really just ran at Taylor.
Joey was the most influential player in the game. Kennedy didn’t do any general play kicking or passing or play calling. The skill position players should get the CC unless it is something off the charts by the others.

 

[Someguy]

The skill position players should get the CC unless it is something off the charts by the others.

this is a horrible take. The player with the most influence should get the award.

imo Yeo was ripped off last year, he created momentum whenever the panthers stalled in attack. Didn’t get try’s or assists but his influence on the game was massive

 

[Captain Apollo]

this is a horrible take. The player with the most influence should get the award.

imo Yeo was ripped off last year, he created momentum whenever the panthers stalled in attack. Didn’t get try’s or assists but his influence on the game was massive

JWH in 2019, Fifita in 2016, Tamou or Morgan in 2015, Moa/Maloney or SBW in 2013. That's quite a few players who in the opinion of many missed out for a player who seemed to get it more due to name recognition than being the best player in the GF that day.

 

[T-Boon]

this is a horrible take. The player with the most influence should get the award.

imo Yeo was ripped off last year, he created momentum whenever the panthers stalled in attack. Didn’t get try’s or assists but his influence on the game was massive

I didnt watch the 2024 GF so can't comment but sounds like Yeo was dominant and Cleary wasnt so Yeo should have gotten it.
Kennedy, Simpson, Peden in the 01 game ran straight over the top of Jason Taylor on the try line and basically ran at the outside backs. Johns was better with great kicking etc just not by as much as he usually would be so some have said Kennedy should have gotten it.

 

[Big Pete]

Who has said worst on the field?

Not top 10 is regular commentary which still leaves up to 23 players he was better than.

I think it was disrespectful to call it an atrocious decision. I also think it's ridiculous to say that JT wasn't in the Top 10 players on the night.

Brisbane played conservatively in that second half, but they were forced to as JT kept them pinned inside their own half with his kicking game. He had a major influence on the game and proved the difference between the two teams.

Now I could agree that he wasn't even the second best 'JT' that night. However the criticism is over the top.

 

[Marshall_magic]

this is a horrible take. The player with the most influence should get the award.

imo Yeo was ripped off last year, he created momentum whenever the panthers stalled in attack. Didn’t get try’s or assists but his influence on the game was massive

Martin was a man possessed last year. Was really between him and Yeo, I had my dosh on Yeo but was happy enough to see Martin take the award home.

 

[Chins]

I think it was disrespectful to call it an atrocious decision. I also think it's ridiculous to say that JT wasn't in the Top 10 players on the night.

Brisbane played conservatively in that second half, but they were forced to as JT kept them pinned inside their own half with his kicking game. He had a major influence on the game and proved the difference between the two teams.

Now I could agree that he wasn't even the second best 'JT' that night. However the criticism is over the top.

Nah

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Nah Milford was best on ground in 2015. He even made what should’ve been the match-sealing break with a minute to go, but Hunt turned the ball over.

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Martin was a man possessed last year. Was really between him and Yeo, I had my dosh on Yeo but was happy enough to see Martin take the award home.

Could also have been Alamoti, or even Moses for cumulative amazing performances in GFs…

 

[user_nat]

Nah Milford was best on ground in 2015. He even made what should’ve been the match-sealing break with a minute to go, but Hunt turned the ball over.

There's probably an argument to be made that having made a break he should just take the tackle. Didn't exactly need a try there.

Still was best on ground, just didn't need to push that ball.

 

[Munky]

Could also have been Alamoti, or even Moses for cumulative amazing performances in GFs…

2024 was Yeoweh's masterpiece

The head geared gnome was quick going down hill but the great one was the best player in the comp.

Has a ring and golden boot to show for it.