NRL Rd 12 - Sea Eagles v Panthers
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers kicks during the round 12 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Penrith Panthers at Lottoland on August 01, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The Clive Churchill Medal, awarded to the player of the game in the NRL grand final, is one of the most prestigious awards available in the NRL, and with the Parramatta Eels set to square off with the Penrith Panthers in the decider, the favourites have come into view.

The Panthers, who are in their third straight grand final, had Nathan Cleary take out the medal last year when the match was held in Brisbane thanks to coronavirus.

The star halfback put together a quality performance against the Rabbitohs and will be one of the favourites again, but there are plenty of options for betting on sports using our bet365 code.

Cleary will be joined by a number of players in the running for the award, both on his team and not, so let's take a look at the favourites.

Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)

If the men from the foot of the mountains are going to go back to back, then it's clear Cleary will need to have another huge performance.

His form hasn't been on the level that it was last season for much of the 2022 campaign, but he still has the ability to direct the team around and change a game on its head.

That will be needed in what is likely to be a tense, tough grand final against the club's arch rivals.

Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)

Halfbacks coming to the fore and leading their teams to victory in grand finals is a tale as old as time, and one that will ring true once again on Sunday.

Mitchell Moses is the man in the hotseat for the Eels, and arguably has been in career-best form.

His form through the finals has been phenomenal, even if the Eels did lose in the qualifying finals to Penrith in Week 1 of the finals series.

Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)

Yeo is a big-game player. There is little doubt about that.

The lock forward, who played for New South Wales this year and is a shoe-in to play for Australia at the World Cup, will likely play the entire 80 minutes during the decider.

With strong ball handling and nice footwork at the line, there is little doubt he is the most important forward on the park for the defending premiers as they look to go back to back.

Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)

Gutherson's form is one which, while at times inconsistent, makes or breaks the Eels virtually on a weekly basis.

The fullback was superb over the last fortnight against the Canberra Raiders and North Queensland Cowboys, sparking his side into the grand final after three straight knock outs at the semi-final stage.

His ball-running, creativity and defence are all pivotal, and he will need to be at his best if Parramatta are to take out the Provan-Summons Trophy.