The **Clive Churchill Medal** is awarded to the player judged to be the best on ground in the **National Rugby League (NRL) Grand Final**. Established in 1986 in honor of Clive Churchill, one of rugby league’s greatest players and coaches, the award recognizes individual excellence in the most important game of the season. While the medal is a prestigious accolade across the NRL, its significance grows when linked to iconic teams and moments in the competition’s history.
For the **Newcastle Knights**, the Clive Churchill Medal has held special meaning, especially given their successes in the NRL, including their 1997 and 2001 premierships. The Knights have been fortunate to have had players who’ve risen to the occasion in grand finals, with the medal highlighting their performance on rugby league’s biggest stage. One of the most notable winners for Newcastle is **Andrew Johns**, who took out the award in the 1997 Grand Final. Johns’ masterful performance in guiding the Knights to their first premiership made him an instant legend of the club, cementing his place as one of the NRL’s greatest-ever players.
More recently, **Kalyn Ponga** became a key figure for the Knights and is considered a potential contender for future Clive Churchill Medals with his impressive skill set and leadership qualities, even though the club has not claimed a grand final win since 2001.
The Clive Churchill Medal serves as a testament to the skill, resilience, and leadership required to excel on the grand stage, and for Newcastle, winning the medal has meant not only personal achievement for the player but also a significant contribution to the club’s storied legacy in Australian rugby league history.
