Medal battle in Dolphins-Broncos blockbuster

The man of the match in tonight’s Dolphins-Broncos NRL blockbuster will have a memento to treasure forever when they are awarded the first Battle Medal.

Host broadcaster Channel Nine’s representatives Cameron Smith and Jonathan Thurston will select the best player on the field.

The concept for The Battle Medal – based on the Battle of Brisbane - was agreed months ago, to bring to life a rivalry that will grow to be one of the biggest in Australian sport.

More than 50,000 tickets have been sold for the first Dolphins-Broncos derby (kick-off 7pm) at Suncorp Stadium, which was officially announced as a sell-out last night.

The match is reported to have sold more tickets than Origin games and will be the biggest club game to be played at Suncorp Stadium.

CEO Terry Reader said Dolphins' “couldn’t have scripted it better” going into the match with three wins from their first three games.

The club has also this week registered its 27,000^th member which Reader says puts it in the top three of the NRL.

“There has been an unbelievable amount of excitement around this first Battle game and we are so proud that the first ever Dolphins-Broncos game is a sellout,” Reader said.

“It ensures this will be a night to remember for not only the players, but the members and fans of both clubs.

“We believe the Battle Medal will grow into a prestigious honour for players over the coming years as this amazing rivalry continue to grow.”

Broncos’ chief executive Dave Donaghy agreed about the Battle for Brisbane.

“Suncorp Stadium has been the home of the Broncos for 20 years, and we are looking forward to yet another exciting derby and beginning this tradition,” Donaghy said.

“This medal is bound to bring plenty of joy for fans and plenty of pride for the players who run out there to battle for the honour.”