The initial short-list for the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award will be announced next week, as a panel of five legends give their initial verdict on who they think has excelled in Super League so far.
In a change to the process for 2026, the five legends, Ellery Hanley, James Roby, Paul Sculthorpe, Sam Tomkins and Joe Lydon, will all meet to discuss the best players from each third of the season.
The panel will meet following the conclusion of round nine, this weekend, and will confirm their first shortlist of the season.
They will then meet again after round 18, and again after round 27, where a final shortlist will be comprised judging off performances across the whole season.
The panel will have scope to adopt a holistic approach to ascertaining who is the best player of the Super League season, taking into account not just individual performance data such as assists, tries scored and metres made but leadership, consistency and game-defining moments in both defence and attack.
The shortlists will be publicly revealed after every meeting, and with the announcement for the first third of the season set to be made next week, Serious About RL have had a go at trying to predict who will be on that inaugural shortlist.
Who will be crowned Super League Man of Steel?
Maika Sivo (Leeds Rhinos):
Wingers rarely pick up the Man of Steel award, with the last player to do so being Pat Richards in 2010.
However, Fijian international Sivo has scored 13 tries in seven Super League matches so far, and after picking up consecutive Player of the Month awards surely has to one of the names on the shortlist.
Sivo is slowly improving other areas of his game too, something that will be pleasing boss Brad Arthur, who has said at times that the winger isn’t yet performing at 100% of his ability.
The 32-year-old made the most metres of anyone on the field in Leeds’ win over Huddersfield last time out, a game he also scored one of those 13 tries.
Tristan Sailor (St Helens)
The playmaker almost seemed a little bit lost under former boss Paul Wellens, with the ex-Brisbane man not really finding consistency having been switched from full-back to the halves and vice versa.
Yet, despite also doing that this season too, Sailor is thriving under Paul Rowley and his playing some of his best rugby.
With three tries and six assists, as well as an average of over 160 metres per game, Sailor is one of the most exciting players to watch on his day and has been so influential at a time where St Helens’ injuries could have seen them take a dip in form.
However, you can’t mention Sailor and not mention Jackson Hastings, another man who could well be in next week’s shortlist.
Hastings has racked up a try and 10 assists so far this season, and has been a real leader in the Red Vee side, whilst also showing that incredible talent that has won him this very award in the past.
George Williams (Warrington Wolves):
England captain Williams has looked backed to his best at times this season, after a poor 2025 led to many questioning his inclusion in last year’s Ashes squad.
However, as he takes on Super League for one final season before moving to the NRL, the half-back has been a key part of why Warrington have had such success in the early rounds.
Scoring three tries and assisting nine more, the 31-year-old is also running for over 115 metres per game and alongside Marc Sneyd has taken youngster Ewan Irwin under his wing to help him develop his trade.
Had Cai Taylor-Wray not picked up an injury in March, the full-back could also have been in with a shout of making the shortlist after impressing in the number one role when fit.
Jake Trueman (Wakefield Trinity):
Daryl Powell believes that half-back Trueman is good enough to make the England squad at the end of the seaon, and after seeing his form in the opening few rounds, it’s hard to disagree.
Trueman is consistently pulling off masterful performances and, with injuries and selections to other spine members, has shown leadership in guiding the team to comforotable victories over the likes of Castleford and Bradford.
If the former Tigers and Hull FC man can come up with a similar showing against St Helens this weekend, the 27-year-old will only improve his already strong case to be included on the shortlist.
Krystian Mapapalangi (Castleford Tigers):
Had the old ‘3-2-1’ Man of Steel points system continued into 2026, you’d expect Mapapalangi would be near the top of those rankings after consistently being Castleford’s best player, even in defeats.
Joining the club in January, it’s hard to believe that ‘Maps’ didn’t spend pre-season at the club and is still adapting to life as a Tiger, with his performances to start the year being nothing short of immense.
Partnering with Jason Qareqare on the left wing, the former Newcastle Knight is proving to be one of the best centres in Super League, and Castleford need to secure his signature before it’s too late.
Another impressive showing at the weekend saw Mapapalangi cross twice in victory over Wigan Warriors, taking his season total to three tries and four assists in seven matches.
Wigan Warriors’ worries, Hull FC drama and NRL takeover talk –Â click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
