Rugby league is littered with prestigious awards.
There is the golden boot award for the best international player, the Harry Sunderland Award is given to the man who stands out in the Super League Grand Final, the Lance Todd trophy goes to the Man of the Match in the Challenge Cup Final.
But the Steve Prescott Man of Steel is the biggest individual honour a Super League player can pick up.
In most sports, the player of the year exclusively goes to a team from the Champions, but not in rugby league.
In 2022 the Man of Steel came from sixth, in 2020 from eighth and in 2011 the Man of Steel winner finished ninth in the league.
So, any team can have a player who wins the Man of Steel so we’re looking at every club’s biggest chance at winning the honour in 2023.
So, which Leigh Leopards player stands out as their best chance at winning the Man of Steel?
This one is pretty easy because the favourite for the Man of Steel award is in fact a Leigh player in the shape of Edwin Ipape.
The explosivity of the Championship Player of the Year paired with the fear of the unknown could see him tear Super League up.
He is not the only candidate from Leigh however.
The Leopards have former Man of Steel Zak Hardaker who could very well pick up the award again with a strong season. The former Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos fullback was exceptional last season. Meanwhile star signing Ricky Leutele from Huddersfield Giants could also be in line for the award.
