Trio vie for top honour

[josie andrews]

Man of Steel nominations for Roby, Tomkins and Westwood

St Helens hooker James Roby, Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins and Warrington second row forward Ben Westwood have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2012 Stobart Super League Man of Steel award.

Both Roby, who won the award in 2007, and Tomkins were shortlisted last season but lost out to Castleford and England half-back Rangi Chase.
This time they are facing competition from Westwood, who has earned a growing reputation as one of the hardest-working forwards in the English game.

The winner, chosen by a secret ballot of Super League players to reward the man deemed to have made the biggest impact on the season, will be unveiled at a gala dinner in Manchester on Monday, October 1. The coach of the year and young player of the year will also be announced at the same time.

The nominees for young player are Bradford second rower John Bateman, St Helens centre Josh Jones and Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker.

The young player is chosen by a specially-convened panel while the coach is selected by a secret ballot of all 14 Super League coaches.

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... top-honour

[Kittwazzer]

Apparently, the short list is Sam, Roby and Shrek.

YPOTY, Josh Jones, Zak Hardaker and Bateman. I can only assume Josh is too old!

[Ron Doran]

Westwood fits the criteria for Man of Steel. Last years 'winner' turned out to be 'Man of Sago Pudding'
Sam the message is, Must try harder in big games.

[Kittwazzer]

I'd be happy for Shrek to win the award. He seems to epitomise the very term 'man of steel'. Wire will miss him this weekend!

[neilwigan]

Sam should win, to be fair he has been the best player for the last couple of years but all the other players hate him.

[ancientnloyal]

If all other players hate him why is he in the top 3 2 seasons running? I can understand fans doing it, its nature to do so if he isnt in our team, but I expect players would have a respect and admiration for him for his abilities

[Warriors Forever]

I agree with Brian Carney, its completely wrong the way its voted for, it should be decided by an independent rugby panel, not players, Roby will win it again, apart from tries he as been far and away top of metres gained and assists

[josie andrews]

I've said this before, who picks the shortlist?

[Wigan_forever1985]

I think all 3 would be worthy winners, i think a lot of our fans have a chip about roby as he basically stole it the year trent barrett should of won - however you cannot deny the lads talent and effort, he isnt a bit player anymore his stats speak for themselves and he is consistently good. Westwood is the same i dont like him in the same way im sure other teams hate hock, and sam does the things only about 5% of players can do.

on a side note - westwood and hock in the england back row - that would surely worry even the most hardened aussie!

[Wes]

Not to forget Ellis, WOW!