The Inaugural winner of the Clive Churchill Medal

[PB]

In preperation for our season opener, i decided last night to re-live the 86 grand final (again..)

As history tells us, Peter Sterling one the first ever Clive Churchill medal (for best on ground in a grand final). But was he? He played well, and his kicking game shat all over Steve Mortimer's, which did go along way to helping us win. But in a game that was try-less, it seems tough to work out how the halfback could recieve the award. Lebeater was tireless. The captain, Price was inspirational. Taylor tackled the house down, Kenny was everywhere in attack and defence and Mosely's metres out of dummy half in a tight contest were invaluable.

For anyone who has watched the game, who was your MOM?

Not being able to seperate any of the above, I think Paul Langmack's 6 penalties he conceeded were what seperated the two teams, so i will credit him the victory.

 

[The Engineers Room]

Sterling!!

He was great that day. What people don't remember about Sterlo was that he was tactically one of the all time greats. His kicking game/defence that day was great and contributed to the victory.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Those Clive Churchill medals are good, but sometimes they don't really give it to the best player on the field.

Last year's award to Luke Priddis was probably the only decent one for a while he put in a great effort set up every try for the Panthers, the other awards have been a bit sus.

The worst award was Johns in the 2001 GF, Buderus was clearly the best player on the field no question. Typical Johns got it before the match kicked off.

Getting back to the 86 GF, Brett Kenny was probably the best player, yet Sterling was also good on the field. If it wasnt for Sterling and Kenny, Parramatta wouldnt've won. Kenny was everywhere, he got 2 tries disallowed but it was a good effort from him. Sterling may have got cause of his kicking game, but who knows. At least he played better than some of the other players who were lucky to get the medal.

 

[The Colonel]

I have watched this game countless times. My MOM was Paul Taylor - Sterling even wanted to give him the medal (he said so in his book) but didn';t because he didn't want to cheapen the medal.

 

[The Engineers Room]

That was a cracking GF though. People talk about 89 and the like but forget 86. IMO it is up there with the best simply due to the determination of both sides.

 

[PB]

I have watched this game countless times. My MOM was Paul Taylor - Sterling even wanted to give him the medal (he said so in his book) but didn';t because he didn't want to cheapen the medal.

Me to Colonel. I hade Taylor slightly ahead of thew rest.

I have watched the game probably a dozen times, i just love it.


I am actually thinking of contacting Vossy with an idea for a segment in "Boots and All". It will be where they show footage of an old game, anGus and Vossy, along with the folks at home can decide on a charge for a high tackle or dangerous act, which today is bad, but back then was allowe dto go.

From that 86 GF alone, i have

Hagen for a stiff arm on Delroy
Farrer's shocker on little Delroy (a grade three reckless high tackle for sure!)
Paul Kelly leading with his knees on Muggelton (and i am sure with todays camera angles, you could get him for plenty more..)
Sigsworth high tackle on Kenny (probably the softest of the lot, but he got sent off)
And Steve Folks may be in trouble for a huge swinging arm (although it only just connected...

 

[The Godfather]

Best Grand Finals ( in no particular order )


1981 Parramatta v Newtown
1989 Canberra v Balmain
1991 Penrith v Canberra
1997 Newcastle v Manly
1999 Melbourne v St.George-Illawarra.

All great games, but the freakish thing about these games is it was the first premiership for the winners and also, they had to come from behind in the 2nd half to take the title.