SYDNEY - Brisbane match-winner Darren Lockyer joined elite company yesterday when he became only the second fullback to receive the Clive Churchill Medal for the best player in the National Rugby League grand final.
Lockyer was all class, setting up Brisbane's first try in their 14-6 win over Sydney and then proceeding to be a constant menace to the Roosters on the way to etching his name alongside Newcastle's Robbie O'Davis as the only No 1s to have won the coveted award.
His break to put winger Lote Tuqiri over the line when he dummied and glided through the Sydney defence would have made the late great Clive Churchill - the fullback after whom the coveted award was named - a proud man.
But, as ever, the 23-year-old test star refused to wrap himself in glory.
"Whenever you play in a grand final you just want to win first, and any individual aim comes after that," Lockyer said.
"It's a big honour and I'm over the moon, but I'd just like to share it with the rest of the guys."
Lockyer wasn't the only fullback in superb form yesterday.
Sydney's Luke Phillips would surely have claimed the medal had the Roosters won.
Phillips, who only began playing rugby league six years ago, also provided the Roosters with an extra kicking option and attacked with spark.
His and Lockyer's efforts drew special praise from triumphant coach Wayne Bennett, who said he hadn't seen such good performance from two fullbacks in one game.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from NRL
Kiwi NRL hopeful launches $4 million lawsuit against club
Jackson Topine alleges 'unlawful corporal punishment' by the club.