Lewis, 13 years after being a wiry winger in Penrith's 2003 grand final triumph, was voted best on the park in the Sharks' heart-stopping 14-12 win over the Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.

Fifita, who has been widely condemned for brandishing strapping in support of good friend and convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge, swivelled past and wrestled five Storm defenders over the line to score the decisive try inside the last 10 minutes.

He also ran for an astonishing 190 metres in a superb 60 minute stint and will be under the microscope of Mal Meninga when the Kangaroos' Four Nations touring party is named on Monday afternoon.

While his numbers may have been statistically inferior to Fifita, Lewis' contribution could not be underestimated as the 33-year-old tormented the Storm defence all night and came up with a number of crucial interventions in defence.

"It's pretty special to have this around your neck, but I really believe it wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the other 16 blokes in the side," Lewis said. "I really believe this Clive Churchill Medal should also go to the other 16 blokes out on the field.

"To be honest when the bell went all I cared about is that we won and everyone came off the field with no injuries. I was just looking forward to holding that trophy."

The feeling was completely foreign when a young 20-year-old was one of the grand final heroes for the mountain men almost at the start of the century. But it was every bit as sweet.

"In 2003 it was a great night - one of the best nights of my life and one I'll never forget as one of the best three things that has happened to me in rugby league - and tonight is right up there to be a part of history," Lewis said.

"Thirteen years down the track and to be able to sit back and understand what it takes to get to a grand final and to win one ... it's just indescribable.

"We've got a real tough bunch of blokes and they're so resilient. We've had our backs against the wall the whole finals series and the only one who really believed were the 18 guys who were in the room. If we all stick together we know we can achieve good things.

"To be able to see your wife in the stands and to see my little girl [Hazel], who is my pride and joy ... I really believe everything happens for for a reason.The little one was born this year and to finish it off with a grand final is a year that will stand out in my mind. I'm very grateful and blessed for it all to happen."

Lewis will play on into 2017 and in what could loom as his and skipper Paul Gallen's final year in the NRL, but this will be the night they treasure most.