The first month of Super League action is in the books with February seeing 11 games take place across Rounds One and Two.
That means it’s time to confirm who has been voted as Super League Player of the Month with the result confirmed today live on Sky Sports’ The Rugby League Verdict with Ash Handley picking up the award.
Six players were nominated to win the award with voting being done by the fans via the Our League app. The shortlist comprised six nominees with three of those being signings that have had big impacts at their new clubs.
Catalans Dragons had two of their recruits nominated in Tariq Sims and Jordan Abdull with the former bringing the brute force that was emulated in his textbook tackle of George Williams.
As for Jordan Abdull, he brought a level of control to Catalans’ game as he terrorised defences with his wand of a left foot.
Former Catalans player Matt Whitley scored three tries in February for new club St Helens and rightly earned a spot on the shortlist alongside England full-back Jack Welsby.
Both Ash Handley and Mikey Lewis debuted for England in 2023 and they too were nominated, Handley having scored an incredible try in Round One with Lewis also bagging in the derby win over rivals Hull FC.
The winner has now been confirmed as Handley and the Leeds Rhinos star spoke live on Sky Sports’ Rugby League Verdict.
Ash Handley unveiled as Super League player of the month
Handley beat out the five other nominees to be crowned February’s player of the month and with his impressive stats so far it’s no surprise.
The Leeds Rhinos man has also been handed the Super League try of the month for his incredible score against Salford Red Devils in Round One.
After a high claim by Luis Roberts the Rhinos managed to shift the ball across their back line towards Handley on the left edge and the winger than ran the length of the field beating former teammate Nene Macdonald to score.
He then went on and scored another screamer in March against Hull KR and now boasts a record of five tries (leads Super League), 509 metres (leads Super League) and 52 carries (7th in Super League).
Handley will be hoping he can add to that tally on Friday night when the Rhinos travel to face Leigh Leopards at the Leigh Sports Village.
Reacting to news of his award on Sky Sports, Handley said: “It’s been good, I’m really enjoying it this year. We’ve started well as a team and personally as well so I want to keep that going.
“I’ve just been working hard on myself physically and mentally really over the off-season. I’m trying to get myself in the best possible shape I can for this year. Not focusing too much on the outcome of things and just focusing on day by day and I can control what I can.”
