Tedesco wins Churchill Medal as Roosters claim one-point grand final thriller
James Tedesco has won his first Clive Churchill Medal captaining the Roosters to a grand final victory over Newcastle.
James Tedesco completed rugby league's greatest individual honour roll when he won the Clive Churchill Medal as captain of the Roosters' premiership team. The fullback had already won State of Origin's Wally Lewis Medal in 2019 and two Dally M's in 2019 and 2025; this medal fills the last gap.
At Accor Stadium on Sunday night, Tedesco was everywhere. Tedesco ran 385 metres, the most by any player in an NRL finals match, made 14 tackle breaks, and read the high ball almost without fault.
Tedesco had won two premierships before (2018 and 2019) but this was his first as captain. Retired legend Peter Sterling, who won the first Churchill Medal 40 years ago, presented the award.
"So proud of this team," Tedesco said after the match. "That game could've gone either way."
- 385
- Metres run
- 14
- Tackle breaks
- 2018 and 2019
- Prior premierships
- 40 years ago
- Sterling's medal age
Why it mattersTedesco's Churchill Medal means he has now won every major individual award in rugby league, a rare honour that marks him as one of the game's all-time greats.
AustraliaThe Roosters have claimed the 2026 NRL premiership, their first title since 2019, boosting Sydney's sporting pride and one of Australia's oldest rugby league clubs.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 44 min ago
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