Clive Churchill Medal: Who should have been awarded best on ground in the 2016 NRL grand final?

Luke Lewis capped his magnificent NRL career by claiming the Clive Churchill Medal in Cronulla’s 14-12 grand-final defeat of the Storm. But the decision was not without controversy. TAKE OUR POLL

• NRL GRAND FINAL 2016 PLAYER RATINGS

CANCER survivor Luke Lewis capped his magnificent NRL career by claiming the Clive Churchill Medal in Cronulla’s historic 14-12 grand-final defeat of the Storm.

The 33-year-old was best-on-ground on Sunday night — 13 years after appearing in Penrith’s premiership defeat of the Roosters in 2003.

Lewis finished with 140 metres from 15 hit-ups, one offload, three tackle busts and 26 tackles in a typically tireless display.

Luke Lewis was monumental for the Sharks but was he best on ground?

The NSW Origin forward pulled off some vital defensive plays and was forever cleaning up on the fringes. Even late in the game, Lewis was surging, running some superb attacking lines to keep the Storm on the back foot.

“I’m lost for words, Melbourne are a superstar side and fortunately for us we came up with the goods,” Lewis said after the match.

A fresh faced Lewis celebrates his first grand final win with the Penrith Panthers in 2003. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Rugby League

“This 2016 season has been the most memorable year of my life.”

But the awarding of the medal was not without controversy with many pointing out Andrew Fifita was the more deserving winner

Fifita, who came under fire in the lead up to the grand final over his support of convicted killer Kieran Loveridge, charged for 191 metres, making 11 tackle busts and scored the incredible matchwinner.

Andrew Fifita’s stats were undeniable.

Fifita scores the matchwinner. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Then there was James Maloney, who threatened down the left, split them up the middle and kicked the Storm to death in a sublime first half.

A case could also have been made for Michael Ennis. The niggling hooker was at his irritating best throughout.

Andrew Fifita’s stats

One try

One linebreak

One linebreak assist

One offload

23 runs for 191 metres

30 tackles (no misses)

11 tackle busts

Luke Lewis’s stats

One offload

One linebreak

15 runs for 140 metres

26 tackles (four misses)

Three tackle busts

How did Andrew Fifita not win the Clive Churchill Medal?? Was it because of the FKL drama on his wristband?? #NRLGF

— Stephen Fenech (@StephenFenech) October 2, 2016

Hey @Todd_Greenberg , any reason why a bloke made half the metres and tackles, had no line breaks and no tries got the Clive? #Fifita #lewis

— Dave Ridgley (@_The__Doctor_) October 2, 2016

Shark's Michael Ennis celebrates the matchwinning try. Picture: Brett Costello

James Maloney was a constant menace to the Storm’s line. Picture: Gregg Porteous