Nathan Cleary v Ryan Papenhuyzen
When Brisbane ran away with last year’s grand final, Nathan Cleary clawed it back, conjuring 17 of the most sublime minutes in rugby league history to steal it 26-24. It secured Cleary’s second Clive Churchill medal as best afield and many are tipping him for a third on Sunday. His chief rival? 2020 Churchill winner Ryan Papenhuyzen.