Leeds Rhinos star and Wigan Warriors pair on final Man of Steel shortlist
A Leeds Rhinos player is up against two Wigan Warriors stars on the final shortlist for the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.
The panel choosing this year’s winner will decide between Rhinos full-back Lachie Miller, Wigan centre Adam Keighran and his teammate, hooker Brad O’Neill. In a major surprise, last year’s man of Steel Jake Connor - who was Leeds’ fans’ player’s and coaches’ player of the year - is not among the final trio of nominees.
Twelve players were considered for the award after featuring on five-man shortlists drawn up by former winners Ellery Hanley, Paul Sculthorpe, Joe Lydon, James Roby and Sam Tomkins after Betfred Super League rounds nine, 18 and 27. Other players on the list of contenders were Connor, Ash Handley and Brodie Croft from Leeds, Wigan’s Bevan French and Jai Field, Jez Litten and Tyrone May (both Hull KR), Leigh Leopards centre Umyla Hanley and St Helens hooker Daryl Clark.
O’Neill has already claimed the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) player of the year award and was named in the Super League Dream Team.
Miller, who suffered a season-ending hamstring injury three weeks ago, topped the list after the first third of the season and has made more tackle busts than any other player in the competition this year. He was also named in the Dream Team, but Keighran missed out to Handley and Hanley.
The 2026 Man of Steel will be announced at the sport’s awards night in Manchester next Tuesday, September 29.