NRL Grand Final 2019 | Fans boo Clive Churchill Medalist Jack Wighton

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has hit out at fans who booed Jack Wighton after he was named the Clive Churchill Medalist.

Canberra's Jack Wighton scores a try during the 2019 NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium on 6 October, 2019 in Sydney. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Fans at ANZ Stadium have been lashed for booing Clive Churchill Medalist Jack Wighton minutes after Canberra were downed by Sydney in the NRL grand final.

The Raiders star played out of his skin in the tense 14-8 match and was awarded best on ground at the post match presentation — but a host of fans in tricolours in the stands weren’t too impressed, booing the 26-year-old as he had his medal draped over his shoulders.

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Spectators at home were fuming at the display after the explosive finish to the 2019 season, labelling the boos “disgraceful”.

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Punters booing Wighton — the best damn player on the field — after he won the Clive Churchill Medal... disgraceful 😤 #NRLGF

— Adrian McMurray (@adrianmcmurray) October 6, 2019

Booing the Clive Churchill medalist.
Peak rugby league. #NRLGF

— Veronica Eggleton (@veggleton) October 6, 2019

Classless from the Chooks fans booing Wighton for winning the CC Medal.

— Joe Barton (@joebarto) October 6, 2019

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart wasn’t impressed by the scenes and hit out at the fans who reigned down on Wighton with a chorus of boos.

“The best player on the field got the award tonight,” he said.

“Whether those people out there who booed him agreed or not, Jack didn’t pick it.

“Three legends of our game picked the award, and I think they know a little bit more than the wombats sitting behind the goalposts.”

Jack Wighton was the sole tryscorer for the Milk.

Wighton was quick to praise his teammates when he was handed the medal for being the best player on the night.

“I’d just like to thank all our Raiders fans for turning up tonight, we’ll love youse always,” Wighton said. “Very very proud of our boys.

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“This is the numbest feeling I’ve ever felt. Congratulations to the Sydney Roosters, you got us tonight, hopefully we’ll see you in another dance like this.”

Wighton was the first player since Daly Cherry-Evans in 2013 to win the award from the losing team

He is the fifth player to win the medal from a losing team, joining Raiders lock Bradley Clyde (1991), St George forward Brad Mackay (1993) and Cherry-Evans, while Canterbury’s Les Johns was awarded a retrospective Clive Churchill for his 1967 performance.

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Peter Sterling and Paul Gallen post match agreed that Wighton was the best player on the field.

Roosters became the first team to defend the premiership since 1992-93 after claiming the controversial 14-8 victory Canberra.

Unfortunately, the game may well be remembered for a refereeing gaffe where, with scores locked at 8-8 in 72nd minute, official Ben Cummins changed his mind from a six-again call for the Raiders.

One minute later, Roosters fullback James Tedesco scored the matchwinning try by finishing off a 60-metre movement in front of a crowd of 82,982 at ANZ Stadium.