The only player to have won the Clive Churchill Medal on two occasions says the way the game is played these days means backs will dominate the award in years to come.

Bradley Clyde was awarded the medal named after the great Souths fullback in 1989 and 1994 as  a member of the star-studded Canberra Raiders who contained the likes of Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley, Brett Mullins and Ricky Stuart.

Fifteen years after he retired from the NRL Clyde is regarded as one of league's greatest forwards, and said the stars needed to be aligned for a player to produce their best in the decider.

"You need to put yourself in a place where you are going to give the game absolutely everything you have and then a little bit more," he said. "And everyone who goes out on grand final day will give it everything, it's the last game of the year and they will give everything . . .

"They will show everything they've been taught, what they stand for as a person and the Clive Churchill medal will stretch themselves that little bit more. [With all of that happening] it's a great feat for someone to be considered one of the better players on the day.

"I think the rotation makes it hard [for forwards to win, even though Sam Burgess won it last year and while it's not lost on the selectors who pick the award but I think the backs are better positioned."

Clyde said while North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston will be the red hot favourite to win the medal - Churchill's widow Joyce publicly anointed him as her preferred winner during the week - he nominated Thurston partner in the Cowboy's halves Michael Morgan as one to watch.

"Second to Johnathan Thurston I would put Michael Morgan, I think his form has been outstanding and then I would say [North Queensland fullback] Lachlan Coote . . .  they've both supported Thurston really well and it's the reason they are where they are.

"They've always had a very good pack and for a number of years in Townsville but they have people to pass the ball to now Kane Linnett, for instance, they've all evolved as players, so I think Morgan and Coote in particular,are those players who've stood up this year.

"Coote had some unfortunate injuries last year but when I look at those players I see the X-factor that is pride and that helped them get to where they are."

Clyde said he was excited by the match-up, describing the Wayne Bennett-coached Broncos and North Queensland as two worthy contenders for the crown.

"It will be a good contest, there's good players and the game itself will be a great product for rugby league," he said.