2020 Grand Final - Clive Churchill Medal form guide

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LeagueUnlimited contributor Rick Edgerton looks at the two Grand Final teams and rates each player's chances of taking home the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal on Sunday.

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet at time of writing - Tuesday 20 October 6pm AEST

PANTHERS

1.     Dylan Edwards - $34

An unsung hero of the Panthers season who's in career best form. Solid runner of the football who loves a tackle bust and quality support player. Superb in the prelim final running for 189 metres and scored the match-winner backing up a break from Isaah Yeo. Also showed great nerve in swallowing every high ball that came his way. One of many value picks if you like a Panthers victory. Way over the odds.

2.     Josh Mansour - $81

Experienced representative winger set to make his first grand final appearance in his fifth finals campaign. Another standout from last week running a huge 230 metres proving vital for the Panthers coming out of trouble. Every chance of crossing the stripe on Sunday night with some strike weapons inside him sure to create opportunities on his flank. No winger has been awarded the medal though and that's not likely to change this year.

3.     Brent Naden - $81

Versatile outside back who's proven a key player in the Panthers season filling in at both centre and wing. Seemed to have nailed down his spot at right centre until he was relegated back to the bench an hour before kick-off last week with Tyrone May the preferred option to start. That move was made by Ivan Cleary as he felt May helped form their best defensive combination on that edge. Suspect they will go that way again on Sunday night making Naden a no in this market.

4.     Stephen Crichton - $67

A raw specimen of an athlete who possesses the kind of strike capable of lighting up this grand final. Has scored 16 tries in his first full season in the top grade and has broken the line three times in the Panthers two finals games. Forms a potent combination with Kikau on the left and sure to be a go-to man when the Panthers are in good ball situations. Centre is the other position to never be awarded the medal meaning any outside back would likely need a hat-trick to be considered.

5.     Brian To'o - $81

Tackle busting winger and another key to the Panthers getting their sets on a roll. Was brilliant in the win over Souths running for 185 metres and busting 8 tackles. A strong finisher close to the line who has great footwork. Great little player but a no for the medal.

6.     Jarome Luai - $21

Dynamic five-eighth who's enjoyed a breakout year to form a brilliant partnership with Cleary in the halves. Provides plenty of energy and spark always buzzing around looking for points to attack. Sharp off both feet and provides great touch with his deft kicks close to the line. Has proven key to unlocking the likes of Kikau and Crichton on the left. The last two winners of this medal have donned the six on their back. Great chance at juicy odds.

7.     Nathan Cleary - $4.50

Equal favourite on the same line of betting as Cameron Smith which probably says it all. Has gone to another level this year guiding his team to the minor-premiership and a chance to deliver the Panthers their third premiership trophy. Plays with tremendous temperament and was again brilliant in that regard in key moments last week, coming up with a couple of cracking kicks to regain field position when his team were under the pump. Halfbacks have won the gong a record 10 times - twice as many as any other position. Understandable favourite given the year he's had.

8.     James Tamou - $67

Departing skipper who will be leading from the front as one of the few Panthers with grand final experience. A key member of the Cowboys 2015 premiership who'll be looking to leave the club on the ultimate high. Will no doubt be getting through his work with a minimum of fuss but doesn't play enough minutes these days to enter the conversation here.

9.     Apisai Koroisau - $17

Exceptional player on both sides of the ball going head to head with one of the best players in history. His craft with the ball in hand and speed off the mark will be a key factor as he looks to unleash on some tiring Storm forwards. One of the Panthers best last week as he threatened to bust the Bunnies open a number of times. As brave as they come for players of his diminutive stature as he tackles anything within his vicinity and averages 54 tackles across the Panthers two finals games. Second visit to the big dance after helping the Rabbitohs to the 2014 titleand looks a great bet at the price. I've got him on top.

10.  James Fisher-Harris - $26

Kiwi international who's delivered the punch up front all season. Gets through plenty of work on both sides of the ball and was tremendous for his team last week running for 197 metres. Will be taking the fight to the Storm forwards all night with his bullocking runs through the middle. Plays enough minutes to be in the conversation and expecting him to have another big game. Solid chance.

11.  Viliame Kikau - $21

Missed the prelim final victory through suspension and should be chomping at the bit to get amongst it. Ball-tearing runner of the footy with his large frame making him almost impossible to tackle one on one close to the line. Capable of tearing a game open with one of them runs and also has the ability to offload which makes him even more of a strike weapon. Doesn't always play the full 80 which is unusual for an edge forward but still another chance at good odds.

12.  Liam Martin - $34

Hard-nosed runner of the football who runs a good line against the grain on his right edge and has formed a great partnership with Cleary. Was a little quiet last weekend but could come into play if the Panthers look to send plenty of traffic at Munster and test out his knee. Probably needs a try or two but can't rule him out completely.

13.  Isaah Yeo - $23

Tireless worker through the middle for the Panthers and can notch some big numbers both in run metres and tackles. Big minute player who was again brilliant last week and came up with the winning play in breaking the line with some neat footwork to set up the Dylan Edwards try. That footwork is sure to trouble a few of the Storm's bigger forwards as the game wears on. Big chance.

STORM

1.     Ryan Papenhuyzen - $10

Storm fullback in scintillating form notching an average 215 metres to go with his 3 tries and 3 try-assists across the Storm's two finals games. Possesses the speed to light up the big dance on Sunday night and one of the key men the Panthers defence will need to shut down. Also shows good pass selection chiming into the Storm backline and continues to thrive partnering with Smith, Hughes and Munster. Top pick if you like a Storm victory.

2.     Suliasi Vunivalu - $81

Barnstorming Fijian winger who'll be looking to wreak havoc in his last game for the Storm before departing to the 15 man code next year. Big, strong, fast and brilliant in the air but has somehow failed to cross the stripe in his three previous grand final appearances. Wouldn't surprise to see him score in this one but not expecting him to challenge for the medal.

3.     Brenko Lee - $81

Journeyman centre who like many have turned their career around within the Melbourne Storm system. Has always been a touch underrated and can be very good at creating a two on one situation. Faces the unenviable task of containing Crichton in this contest and hard to see him having a big enough influence to come into contention.

4.     Justin Olam - $67

Fearless runner of the footy who'll be charging into the Panthers with no thought of self-preservation. More than capable of crossing the stripe particularly if the Storm use similar shapes in attack to last week when they sent plenty of ball left. Even so, passing on his chances here.

5.     Josh Addo-Carr - $67

New South Wales and Australian winger who's looked in ominous form in recent weeks notching 4 line-breaks in the Storm's two finals this year. Another who is likely to be playing his last game in Storm colours and every chance of adding to his try-scoring tally in grand finals after crossing the chalk on three occasions in his two previous trips to the big dance. Again, seems unlikely a winger will buck history and win the award but when ‘The Fox' gets in a mood you just never know.

6.     Cameron Munster - $10

Big match player set to play in his fourth grand final and sits on the second line of betting behind Smith and Cleary. Seemingly recovered from his knee injury to play a strong hand in the Storm's first half assault in the prelim win over the Raiders. The Queensland five-eighth will be asking plenty of questions of his opposition with his footwork and strength and is the kind of player capable of rising to the challenge if the game is on the line. Top chance.

7.     Jahrome Hughes - $15

Set for his first appearance on grand final night after nailing down the number seven jersey this season. The underrated member of the Storm spine who has risen to the fore in some big games already this year with his neat footwork enabling him to slice through the line and score some cracking tries. His kicking and passing games are ever improving in the role. Intriguing option and it's rare to see a halfback at double figure odds but perhaps a pass with so much class around him.

8.     Jesse Bromwich - $26

Big match kiwi bookend with 29 tests for his country and four grand final appearances to his name. Could be a tempting option for many at the price and has crossed the try line in both of the Storm's finals wins this year. Doesn't play the big minutes he used to though due to the emergence of some real guns on the Storm bench. Passing.

9.     Cameron Smith - $4.50

If last week's scenes post-match were anything to go by, the veteran of no less than seven grand final appearances will be lacing his boots for the final time in his illustrious career. Continues to play with the professionalism that has been a hallmark of his career and will be a key figure if the Storm are to lift the trophy. The former Australian captain has won just about every award the game has to offer but the one medal to elude him so far has been the Clive Churchill. Deserving equal favourite and if there's no other standout performer on the night, it likely ends up around his neck.

10.  Christian Welch - $34

Tireless worker through the middle who's set for his first run-on appearance in a grand final after coming off the bench in the 2016 and 2018 deciders. Has emerged as a key go forward man for the Storm going about his business with a minimum of fuss. Unlikely to win the medal with the Storm sharing minutes around their middle forwards.

11.  Felise Kaufusi - $34

Edge back-rower who'll be running out for his third grand final. Solid contributor for the Storm over the last few years who shows good footwork at the line and the ability to run good lines in attack. Doesn't get through mountains of work so would need to be crossing the stripe to come into contention. Pass.

12.  Kenny Bromwich - $34

Another experienced customer who's played in three previous deciders. Doesn't often get the praise he deserves but is a key figure in Melbourne's attacking shapes. Capable of hitting a hole himself or running the perfect decoy line whilst also adding a touch of ball-playing at times. Gets through his work and not the worst option if you're shopping for value.

13.  Nelson Asofa-Solomona - $41

Barnstorming big man who will be pushing off the back fence as he charges into the Panthers defensive line. Loves a tackle bust and plays a real enforcer role in his time on the park. Generally doesn't play enough minutes to come into contention and it wouldn't surprise if Dale Finucane in fact runs out from the opening whistle after he made his injury return via the bench last week. That makes big Nelson a pass.

14.  Brandon Smith - $34

Don't normally consider bench players because they generally don't get the game time to come into calculations, but this tearaway could prove an exception to the rule. Serves as a real ace up Craig Bellamy's sleeve with his ability to bring spark and energy to his team with his fearless running style and quick play the balls. Capable of breaking the line or barging over from close range. I've got him as the Storm's best roughie.