Wigan Warriors snubbed as three-man Super League Man of Steel shortlist revealed

[josie andrews]

A three-man shortlist has been revealed for the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, which will be presented at rugby league’s awards night next Tuesday (October 8) at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Bevan French is set to lose his title, with nominations from Warrington Wolves, Salford Red Devils and Hull KR all named in the race.

After recently being named the 2024 Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association Player of the Year, Robins star half-back Mikey Lewis has been shortlisted for the award, alongside Wire full-back Matt Dufty and Red Devils playmaker Marc Sneyd.

A panel of expert former players award points to the outstanding three performers in every Super League fixture to decide the winner - the same panel who selected the 2024 Betfred Super League Dream Team.

Lewis, 23, scored 19 tries in the regular campaign, leaving him third in the final table, in addition to kicking 70 goals for a total of 216 points - and 24 assists, the second-most in the competition.

He could become the second Hull KR player to be named Man of Steel in the award’s 47-year history, after Gavin Miller – the Australian loose forward who was the first overseas winner in 1986.

Australian Dufty, 28, would become only the third Warrington Wolves player to be named Man of Steel, and the first since Jonathan Davies in 1994 - the first being Ken Kelly in 1981.

In contrast Salford have had their only two Man of Steel winners in the last five years, both Australian half-backs – Jackson Hastings in 2019, and Brodie Croft in 2022.

Wigan have had 13 winners since the award’s introduction in 1976-77, with 28-year-old French the first winner last year for the Warriors since Sam Tomkins in 2012.

Ellery Hanley became the first man to win it twice in 1985 and 1987 – then added a third win in 1989, which remains a unique achievement – and Andy Farrell was the first winner following the launch of the Super League in 1996.

Pat Richards, Denis Betts, Andy Platt, Dean Bell, Shaun Edwards and George Fairburn are all also previous winners.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ed-4807482

[fozzie58]

It will be Lewis I’m sure of that but Dufty?im not so sure about him as for Sneyd he has been Mr Salford all season long so I’d love to see him win it but I’m sure it’ll be Lewis

[WarriorWinger]

Mikey Lewis for me, by far the most outstanding player this year of the three

[WIGIAN]

So with two short listers in the other semi its a waste of time our semi winners turning up ...... What a pathetic system but guess Id rather have a team of talent than one performer each week like Sneyd. Mikey Lewis for me cant argue he's a talent at 23

[Firestarter]

Its criminal that odonnell isnt in the mix

[Charriots Offiah]

Farcical.

[josie andrews]

Jon Wilkin questions Man of Steel selection process with ‘strange’ Wigan Warriors omissions

Sky Sports pundit and former Super League forward Jon Wilkin has questioned the process behind the Man of Steel selection, believing a handful of players have been unlucky not to make this year’s shortlist – insisting one star man is above the competition.

Warrington Wolves full-back Matt Dufty, Hull KR star Mikey Lewis and Salford Red Devils veteran Marc Sneyd are the three players up for the prestigious award this year.

It means reigning Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Bevan French will lose his title, with the new winner to be announced at the annual rugby league awards night next Tuesday (October 8) in Leeds.

Wilkin was a guest on Sky Sports’ Rugby League Verdict to discuss this year’s shortlist, and while praising the trio up for the award, the ex-Super League forward shared his views on the process - and believes England captain George Williams has been leading the competition as the best player in 2024.

A panel of former players award points to the outstanding three performers in every Super League fixture to decide the winner - the same panel who selected the 2024 Betfred Super League Dream Team.

Wilkin told presenter Jenna Brooks: “There’s a lot of players who are unlucky, I think. I’ve watched Elliot Minchella probably produce one of the best seasons for a loose forward that I’ve seen in some time.

“I find it quite strange that there’s nobody from Wigan in there when they’ve pretty much dominated everything and they’re at the top; you'd say Jake Wardle and Harry Smith were a shout.

“But it’s the main man, if Man of Steel should be anything, it should be given to the best player and I think that’s George Williams. And by some way at the minute.

“Certainly three fantastic candidates, but there is a wider conversation about who is the best player in the competition.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ns-4807570

[Wigan_forever1985]

The problem with the Man of Steel award is it still doesnt really have a definition of what it is.

It isnt the "best player in the competition" award thats for sure. It seems to always have a narrative associated with it.

I think Lewis would be a worthy winner but you cant compare his efforts with the likes of Wardle for example who never has a less than 9/10 performance.

You also cant compare the impact of a full back playing in a good team to a prop in a poor team for example there is just no basis in which you can form a line there. It also rewards being a good player in a poorer team.

[the pieman]

i think from a fans perspective this conversation has been done to death, in terms of how we get the points to be considered MoS

we all have blinkers in relation to our own players, and their credentials to win the MoS, as we see them week in week out v seeing a couple of games / TV games for opposition players

Wilkin alludes to Minchella, who i would have no issue if he was in there, as he's been great apart from his brain fart v Leigh

Williams / French are both fantastic players, but i believe have had spells out injured, hence they probably arent in the final mix, but by that token i'm sure i've seen Dufty had missed 5 matches, so you then question how he's got in

[nathan_rugby]

The problem with the Man of Steel award is it still doesnt really have a definition of what it is.

It isnt the "best player in the competition" award thats for sure. It seems to always have a narrative associated with it.

I think Lewis would be a worthy winner but you cant compare his efforts with the likes of Wardle for example who never has a less than 9/10 performance.

You also cant compare the impact of a full back playing in a good team to a prop in a poor team for example there is just no basis in which you can form a line there. It also rewards being a good player in a poorer team.

Why can you not compare them?

Football doesn't have an issue with this, there is pretty much always a consensus on the player and young player of the year and I think its voted for by a panel.

The issue we have is that RFL / Sky are trying to entice interest with the leader board, but the consequence is that it favours big fish in little ponds.

End of the day, who really cares?