NRL Grand Final player ratings: Penrith Panthers def South Sydney 14-12

Last night’s see-sawing epic created heroes and the odd villain, but who did NICK WALSHAW have as best on ground? ALL 34 PLAYERS RATED.

Nathan Cleary kicked South Sydney into submission in a ruthless display that earned him the Clive Churchill medal on Sunday night.

It was a grand final of epic proportions, but every game has winners and losers.

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Damien Cook, Nathan Cleary, Cody Walker, Brian To'o.

Brian To’o, playing with a busted ankle, made a game-high 238 metres – narrowly pipping fullback Dylan Edwards – while no one would’ve batted an eyelid had Isaah Yeo, with his 168m, 36 tackles and countless effort plays, shared the Clive Churchill with his co-captain.

For South Sydney, Cameron Murray churned his way through a gut-busting 52 tackles – only a shade more than teammate Damien Cook.

But who shone brightest when the game was on the line? And who will wake up on Monday morning desperately hoping the night before was just a bad dream?

NICK WALSHAW runs his eye over the 34 players who took the field and gives his unique ratings.