Every Super League team’s most likely Man of Steel winner for 2025

Ahead of the 2025 Super League season, we’ve examined the likeliest candidate from each team to be crowned as Man of Steel.

The Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award is handed to the best player across the season in Super League with the scoring public for the first half of the season before then being hidden until the Awards Ceremony at the end of the year.

Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis claimed the award in 2024 as he headed a final three that also featured Warrington’s Matt Dufty and Salford’s Marc Sneyd.

Players can earn points each week with a panel awarding three, two and one points in each Super League game – with the aim being that the most consistent star player reaps the rewards.

That can sometimes punish players who are in very good teams as the stars often take points from one another whereas a standout player in a potentially weaker team has a clearer route to points, however, that is the current system.

Based on that system and the compiled Super League squads for 2025, we’ve picked out one player from each team who is the likeliest to be crowned Man of Steel.

Likely candidates to be crowned Super League Man of Steel 2025

Castleford Tigers – Tex Hoy

Hoy had a brilliant impact when he made the move to Wheldon Road mid-season in 2024 and, with a stronger supporting cast, could improve even more in 2025. He scored seven in 17 for the Tigers last year and could flourish with the addition of spine support such as Daejarn Asi and Judah Rimbu.

Catalans Dragons – Luke Keary

Keary is one of several NRL signings made by the French outfit with Catalans looking to rewrite the script and forget their poor 2024 campaign completely. The former Sydney Roosters star still has plenty left in the tank and will be the main focus of the team’s attack.

Huddersfield Giants – Jacob Gagai

Another NRL import features on the list with South Sydney’s Jacob Gagai looking to be a massively exciting prospect for Huddersfield. Gagai shone in his maiden NRL campaign on the wing but he will play full-back in Super League, a position he previously played in the NSW Cup. He has pace to burn and will bring plenty of X-factor to the John Smith’s Stadium.

Hull FC – Jordan Abdull

Abdull strikes as a signing who could be either a massive hit or a massive miss. With Catalans, injuries saw him struggle but Hull FC have signed the playmaker knowing what he can do when he is fully fit. During the early part of 2023 for Hull KR, Abdull was leading the Man of Steel conversation and a return to that form is exactly what the Black and Whites need.

Hull KR – Mikey Lewis

No player has defended the Man of Steel trophy since Paul Sculthorpe did so in 2002 with Scully the only man to ever do so, meaning it will be some feat if Lewis can do it. However, if any Hull KR player is to do it then it would be Lewis with ‘Magic Mikey’ being the heartbeat of Willie Peters’ side.

Leeds Rhinos – Maika Sivo

Perhaps a tongue-in-cheek selection here that references the bold claim made by Australian pundits Joel Caine and Bryan Fletcher that Sivo would “score 50 tries” and win Man of Steel. Their comments were aimed to discredit the quality of Super League but if Sivo can carry over the form that saw him score 17 tries in 12 games in 2024 then perhaps those comments weren’t as extreme as first thought.

Leigh Leopards – David Armstrong

Matt Moylan was surprisingly high in the rankings last season from full-back at Leigh and now the Leopards have an even more dynamic player in the position. Owner Derek Beaumont has claimed that Armstrong could rival Bevan French, widely considered the best player in Super League, so the bar has been clearly set for the NRL recruit.

Salford Red Devils – Marc Sneyd

Marc Sneyd was the difference between Salford finishing fourth or eighth in 2024 and that saw him in the final three for this award. Sneyd led the league in attacking kicks, drop goals, and two-pointers, whilst also laying on 22 assists. In a season that saw Salford win seven games by six points or less, Sneyd highlighted his importance and success in 2025 could well be dependant on him again.

St Helens – Jack Welsby

Tristan Sailor arriving at St Helens is a huge addition and the NRL signing could well contend for this award himself but how Sailor, and Lee Briers’ coaching, will aid Jack Welsby could be even more important. Welsby had a quiet season by his standards in 2024 as the Red Vee struggled but he still recorded the sixth-most tries and assists combined. Add in Sailor and a Lee Briers’ playbook and England’s number one could shine.

Wakefield Trinity – Max Jowitt

Fresh off his record-breaking season that saw him score 500 points, Jowitt will be key for Wakefield in 2025. The full-back will be challenged by Josh Rourke and that could even push Jowitt into the halves if signings Olly Russell and Jake Trueman don’t click, but wherever he plays – Jowitt will be influential.

Warrington Wolves – George Williams

Matt Dufty had such a strong season in 2024 that it almost went under the radar how good George Williams was. The England captain recorded 19 assists and scored eight as he flourished under Sam Burgess’ coaching. He helped make Warrington’s left edge one of the most devastating in Super League and a repeat of that could see him claim this crown.

Wigan Warriors – Bevan French

Plenty of fans argue that Bevan French was unlucky not to defend his Man of Steel crown in 2024 given how well he performed but playing just 18 regular season games hampered him a lot. Despite that, he is still considered by many as the best player in Super League and there’s no reason why a healthy 2025 won’t see him reclaim his crown.

*Stats sourced from Super League website*