Scathing criticism of star Latrell Mitchell from the son of an immortal South Sydney name that stands emblazoned over rugby league's best afield grand final medal had an Aboriginal cult hero inadvertently representing his people on Sunday night.

Manly legend Cliff Lyons could see the irony of presenting this year's Clive Churchill Medal on short notice but not entirely the funny side.

After carrying the duties on the dais in previous ceremonies on behalf of his deceased fullback father's memory, the NRL decided this year to pull Rodney Churchill from the rundown sheet after an outburst that targeted Mitchell was made public.

He has since apologised for suggesting that current Souths spiritual leader has been a "cancer on the club" and an "embarrassment to the No.1 jersey" in text messages that recently came to light.

The NRL instead decided that the recipient of the first medal that was bestowed back in 1986 would hand over the prize to this year's winner.

But in a turn of events, Parramatta icon Peter Sterling had a prior engagement booked on grand final night and was unavailable.

Flicking through the record books, the next man in line just happened to be Lyons.

The 1987 recipient was the first of five Indigenous winners and the last for another 12 years until Gordon Tallis starred one day.

Lyons, who lives out of the spotlight and in relative anonymity these days after Manly replaced the under-20s coach a decade ago, admitted to feeling "pretty chuffed" to be back in the thick of the action.

"(NRL CEO) Andrew Abdo called me and asked if I was keen and I was," he told Yahoo Sport Australia.

"Unfortunately, Sterlo couldn't get there, but I was available.

"I remember that day (in 1987) and my name being called out for the award.

"It was pretty thrilling and exciting – it's a big part of grand final day, and I'm happy to (have) been a part of it."

At one stage of the rousing grand final battle, the Wiradjuri man looked set to greet on stage Indigenous playmaker Ezra Mam after conjuring up three second-half Brisbane tries off a touch of deception with his hips and a step or two before a dash to the line.

That was until Nathan Cleary turned on a comeback for the ages to set up two tries in return and score Penrith's matchwinner nearing the end.

Hours later on social media, Cleary came out wearing a 'Yes' vote t-shirt in support of recognising constitutional change for Indigenous Australians.

Lyons and the Panthers' two-time winner will always share that nostalgic recognition of leaving their best on grand final day, but the Sea Eagles five-eighth from 1986-1999, unlike Clearly, certainly isn't a fan of social media to convey messages.

Despite playing in an era of racial abuse on the field but hearing worse behind a fence, the 332-gamer feels for Mitchell and is glad he never had to deal with viral keyboard warriors.

"It's a new brand of attacking someone and they can't seem to do anything about it because it has a big bearing on a person's feelings," he said.

"It's disappointing to see it and I'm glad it wasn't around in my day.

"I didn't always play well, but at least I didn't have to read about it on my mobile. I am sure they would have come for me."

Churchill's private text that soon became public ensured he has copped his fair whack on the back of an intense social media pile-on after mainstream media reports.

Lyons was not wanting to get caught up in his ascension to hand over the posthumous medal, but the ensuing honour paved the way to be publicly supportive of Mitchell.

The Rabbitohs had reportedly also threatened to boycott accepting the award had the side made it through to the grand final, but that was before Lyons was invited instead.

"I didn't really think about it that way – I heard about (the Rod Churchill drama), but I didn't follow the story all that closely," Lyons said.

"I've met (Mitchell) a few times and he's a good kid, and a very good footballer.

"I love watching him play, and hope he's going okay."

Mitchell, in a conflicting twist to the disparaging words displayed on a phone won the Ken Stephen Medal for community work, but wasn't in attendance at the ceremony.