Friday 7 October 2016 13:34, UK
Named after an Australian administrator who did great work in the sport, both in the United Kingdom and Australia, the Harry Sunderland Trophy is presented to the man of the match in the Grand Final.
It was first awarded in the 1964/65 season to Halifax's Terry Fogarty after their Championship Final win over St Helens. Now, with the game's showpiece event held at Old Trafford, the traditional award has remained a staple of the event and is decided by votes from journalists in the Rugby League Writers' Association.
So what do these judges look for? We have examined the previous winners since the Grand Final was introduced in 1998 to see what goes into a man-of-the-match performance.
Magic moments
Sometimes Grand Finals can be swung by a piece of brilliance, an individual moment that tips the balance in the favour of their side.
Two particular trophy winners stand out in this regard. First - Jason Robinson, whose dazzling genius against Leeds in 1998 earned his Wigan side a 10-4 win. Second - see Rob Burrow. Two sensational breaks against St Helens in 2011 earned four pointers for his side, one which led to a try for himself in the first half and then one to set up Ryan Hall in the corner in the game-defining moment.
But it's not just try-scoring feats that catch the eye. Don't forget Lee Smith's 40-20 in 2008 with Leeds under intense pressure. The Rhinos scored in the very next set through Danny McGuire and Smith went home with the man-of-the-match award.
Try-scoring touch
It says a lot that 12 of the 18 Harry Sunderland winners crossed the whitewash at some point during the showpiece event - and 2001 winner Michael Withers scored a hat-trick, the only man to do so.
We've already mentioned Jason Robinson and Rob Burrow's try scoring efforts, but special mentions also have to go to two others; Chris Joynt for his double in 2000 and Danny McGuire for repeating that feat last year.
It's not a prerequisite, but on the evidence, it seems getting yourself over the try line is a good way to impress the judges.
The Generals
Seven Harry Sunderland trophies in the Grand Final have been won by half-backs, two by hookers, one by a loose forward and one by a substitute coming on in the dummy-half role. It seems the decision-makers are always in contention to win the award; unsurprising given the influence the players in those positions have on the game.
James Roby steered St Helens round the park after Lance Hohaia's early exit, while Kevin Sinfield got off the floor in 2012 to guide the Rhinos to success. Matt Diskin bullied Bradford from dummy-half in 2004, Thomas Leuluai bossed things for Wigan in 2010, and Blake Green made a mockery of a bad cut to lead Wigan to a comeback victory in 2013.
Strong defence
It's not just attack that wins games, as defence is a huge part of any successful Grand Final-winning side.
Paul Wellens is a good example of a player awarded the title for his work without the ball. He made three try-saving tackles in the 2006 win over Hull FC, including an astonishing cover tackle - along with Jamie Lyon - on Gareth Raynor in the corner.
Don't forget Kevin Sinfield's try-saver in 2009 either, taking down Kyle Eastmond who was hunting a second try. And it doesn't have to be try-savers that get all the plaudits; James Roby notched up 36 hits in his 2014 Harry Sunderland-winning performance.
And sometimes… the gallant loser
Don't lump all your hope on the winning side producing a nominee. On two occasions the Harry Sunderland trophy has gone to a player on the losing side, and both times it was a player who starred for Bradford Bulls.
Henry Paul picked up the accolade in 1999, partly for his stunning individual score, but also for his game management in a tight defeat to St Helens.
Paul Deacon did the same three years later against the same opposition, praised for his precise kicking game that guided the Bulls around the pitch, only to be beaten by a late Sean Long drop goal. Achievable - not that it's much consolation.
