Leeds Rhinos stars dominate latest Man of Steel top-5: Wigan Warriors, Leigh Leopards also feature
Leeds Rhinos players dominate the latest rankings for the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.
Rhinos half-back Jake Connor - the current holder - is tied in first place with Leeds centre and captain Ash Handley after the panelists who will choose the winner made their picks from Betfred Super League rounds 10 to 18. Another Rhinos player, full-back Lachie Miller, is now third.
Wigan Warriors hooker Brad O’Neill came fourth and Leigh Leopards centre Umyla Hanley was fifth. The top-10 also includes Hull KR pivots Mikey Lewis - Man of Steel in 2024 - and Tyrone May, Toulouse Olympique full-back Olly Ashall-Bott, Leeds winger Maika Sivo and St Helens hooker Daryl Clark, though the order from five-10 has not been confirmed.
Miller was in pole position after nine rounds, but missed three games in the second third of the season through suspension. Neither Connor nor Handley, who is currently on Leeds’ injury list, was in the previous top-10.
The award panel is made up of former winners Ellery Hanley, Paul Sculthorpe, Sam Tomkins, James Roby and Joe Lydon. Tomkins said: “As always, it was really difficult whittling down to the final five, but I think the two guys that top it – Jake Connor and Ash Handley – fully deserve it. That’s given Leeds are the form team in the competition with some great results over this nine-round period.
“They have really cemented themselves as frontrunners to make Old Trafford and I think Jake and Ash combined have been pivotal in that. We’re seeing the best of Jake again. His kicking has been outstanding, his try assists and his influence – the way he runs that side of the pitch – is clear for everyone to see.
“And Ash Handley is certainly in the best form of his career. That’s without doubt, in my opinion. For so long he was really close - and you could have argued he was slightly inconsistent at times in previous years, but in this last block of nine games Ash has been a stand-out player in Super League.
“He has been quality every single week. I love the way the Leeds side look to him to be a leader as well. Not only does he provide tries, so many for Super League’s top scorer Maika Sivo, score tries and do all the hard work, but he’s always the one the lads seem to be looking at as well. He’s certainly at the top of his game and deserves to be at the top of our list.”
The Panel will meet again after round 27 before having a final deliberation to decide their three-man shortlist and eventual winner which will be announced at the Rugby League awards night in Manchester on Tuesday, September 29.