Liam Martin Wins Clive Churchill Medal in NRL Grand Final

Liam Martin, the back-rower for the Penrith Panthers, has been awarded the Clive Churchill Medal after his team emerged victorious in the grand final against the Melbourne Storm. Martin’s remarkable performance anchored his side’s triumph, continuing the form he showcased during the State of Origin series.

In a standout showing, Martin scored a crucial try, ran for 66 meters, broke three tackles, and provided three offloads. Defensively, he was formidable, making 46 tackles while missing only four. His all-around effort was pivotal in the Panthers’ grand final success.

At the post-match presentation, Martin expressed his gratitude and amazement at receiving the prestigious medal, stating, “Oh wow! It’s so surreal. The character there to dig deep.” He acknowledged his teammates and the fans by adding, “I love you boys so much. We do it for you. We love yas.”

Martin’s contribution was not limited to his try. He also played a crucial role in Paul Alamoti‘s try, contributing to the team’s third try of the evening. Martin skillfully chased and collected a kick from Nathan Cleary, which helped set up Alamoti’s score in the corner.

This achievement makes Martin the third Panther to earn the Clive Churchill Medal during the team’s recent era of dominance, following in the footsteps of Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards, who won the accolade in 2021 and 2023, respectively.