'What an embarrassment': Clive Churchill medal mix-up adds to NRL grand final debacle

It looks like the ‘six again’ scandal wasn’t the only huge blunder made on Sunday night at the NRL grand final.

Roosters fans showed their displeasure when Jack Wighton was named Clive Churchill medallist, showering the Canberra eighth with boos as he made his way onto the presentation podium.

‘WORST IN HISTORY’: NRL world in disbelief over grand final 'travesty'

‘SHOULD BE ASHAMED’: Outrage over 'disgusting' moment after grand final

And in a stunning new twist, another player was actually told he had won the prestigious medal as man of the match in the grand final.

Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was told by an unknown official before the post-match presentation that he was receiving the gong.

Waerea-Hargreaves was positioned next to the stage to be called up before Wighton's name was read out to collect the award.

Channel Nine cameras picked up the moment Wighton walked past Waerea-Hargreaves up onto the stage.

The television broadcast also captured NRL CEO Todd Greenberg whispering something into master of ceremonies James Bracey’s ear before the presentation - believed to be the Wighton-Waerea-Hargreaves switch.

But the NRL went to lengths on Monday to insist the right player had won the award after the Roosters' 14-8 win.

"There was a process, the process was going on, the person who won frankly was the one who should have won," ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie said.

"The vote was being counted, there were some people who thought they knew what was going on who didn't. That's the bottom line.

"When all the votes were counted Jack won. That's it."

Under the NRL's system, Kangaroos selectors Laurie Daley, Darren Lockyer and coach Mal Meninga each vote on a 3-2-1 basis for the player of the match.

It's understood Waerea-Hargreaves had led the count when Raiders legends Daley and Meninga entered their votes, but Lockyer was unable to log on to the application.

He then had to deliver his votes verbally to officials and it's understood it's during that time the mix-up occurred.

"We all thought Jared was getting it," Roosters five-eighth Keary said.

"I thought Jared, Boyd (Cordner), Toops (Daniel Tupou) or Teddy (James Tedesco could have won it).

"But I thought Jack was outstanding."

Anger over ‘disgusting’ fan treatment of Wighton

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart labelled Roosters fans who booed Wighton as "wombats".

Wighton played the game of his life in the Raiders' tight 14-8 loss on Sunday, scoring Canberra's only try and looking particularly dangerous on the left edge.

Angry that one of their players hadn't been named best on ground following the win, they booed Wighton onto the stage and throughout his speech at ANZ Stadium.

"The best player on the field got the award tonight," Canberra coach Stuart said.

"Whether those people out there that booed agree or not, Jack didn't pick it. Three legends of our game .. pick the award.

"And I think they know a little bit more than the wombats sitting in there beside the goal posts."

Wighton became just the fourth player to receive the medal on a losing team, after Brad Clyde in 1991, Brad McKay in 1993 and Daly Cherry-Evans in 2013.

Cherry-Evans received similar treatment from Roosters fans at the same end of ANZ Stadium under the same circumstances six years ago.

"It was a very numb feeling to achieve something so big, but it was probably the worst moment of my life to lose a grand final," Wighton said.

"It's a very weird feeling at the minute."

A year after his spot in the game was in doubt due to off-field troubles, Wighton busted five tackles, had one linebreak and regularly put centre Jarrod Croker in space.

Players on both sides agreed he was the right pick for the medal, as did Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

"Jack was incredible tonight. That guy can play footy," Robinson said.

"That's a legend player and he deserved that award.

"For individuals, I've been booed a bit this week and last week. It happens in life. It means people are passionate and they want to watch."

with AAP