There are two Super League stars tied at the top of the Man of Steel rankings, with both players hailing from table-toppers Leeds Rhinos.
With players selected on performances between Rounds 10 and 18, Leeds enjoyed a seven-match winning run within that time frame, and as a result, two of their players have been named as the competition’s best.
Captain Ash Handley joins reigning Man of Steel Jake Connor at the top of the rankings, after the five-man panel put those two players above the rest.
Neither Connor nor Handley made the top 10 after Rounds one to nine, but their efforts in recent weeks have lifted them to pole position with just eight rounds of the season remaining
Leeds actually have four players in the top 10, with the initial frontrunner Lachie Miller joining Maika Sivo in this third’s top 10.
Panel member and two-time Man of Steel winner Sam 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. 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’s been quality every single week. I love the way the Leeds side look to him to be a leader as well…He’s certainly at the top of his game – and deserves to be at the top of our list.”
Rounding out the top five are Rhinos full-back Miller in third, Brad O’Neill of Wigan in fourth and Leigh’s Umyla Hanley.
Sivo joins Mikey Lewis Tyrone May, Daryl Clark and Olly Ashall-Bott S part of the top 10.
Lewis, Sivo, May and Clark were all named in the top 10 after rounds one to nine.
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 29 September.
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