Rugby league fans pick their mid-season Man of Steel 2025 with Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR players named

We’re at the halfway point of the 2025 Super League season, and one race that’s hotting up is that of the Man of Steel award, and rugby league fans online have joined the debate.

We asked fans who they think will lift the trophy at the end of the season, going off the first half of the season’s performances, and there was plenty of variety.

There were standout players from Hull KR, Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos, as the top three sides in the Super League table right now.

Could last year’s winner, Mikey Lewis, go back-to-back, and join only St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe on the consecutive winners’ list?

Only four players have won the award on more than one occasion: Sculthorpe, Andy Farrell and Sam Tomkins have two wins apiece, with Ellery Hanley the only player to have lifted the award three times.

However, there were also mentions for a Leigh Leopards half-back, a Wakefield Trinity prop and a Hull FC player who’s played at both centre and in the second row in 2025.

Here are some of the best comments from our Facebook page and our social media channels.

Rugby league fans pick Man of Steel picks from first half of 2025 season

Peter Smurthwaite: Jake Connor is playing out of his skin.

Simon Davies: Bevan French. And everyone knows it.

Andy Lea: As a Leeds fan, Jake Connor is going to be up there. Other teams I’ve been impressed with are Jez Litten from Rovers, Herman Ese’ese from FC, Edwin Ipape from Leigh and the usual Bevan French from Wigan.

Elliot McElroy: Between Mikey Lewis and Jake Connor for me, a dark horse is Will Pryce.

Ryan Daddy: As a Rovers fan, it pains me to say, but you can’t look past Jai Field or Jake Connor.

Shaun Michael: Back to back for Mikey Lewis, no one gets close. Maybe Peta Hiku or Tyrone May as runners-up!

Erica Ezz: Max Jowitt or Mike McMeeken at Wakefield.

SJ Services: Zak Hardaker, he’s been outstanding. Not an obvious choice I know, but credit where credit’s due. Work rate and commitment are second to none.

John White: Mike McMeeken is putting up huge numbers every game and is a regular in the team of the week. Jez Litten is having a great season, and I’m not sure he’s getting the credit he deserves. Jake Connor is pulling the strings at Leeds and playing well.

Andrew Bruce: Can’t anybody look beyond halfbacks? They get all the praise and glory. Man of Steel used to be about character, grit, determination, not someone who did some fancy stuff once or twice a game. Herman Ese’ese has been consistently the best forward by far. Even fantasy Super League has him as the highest scoring player both last year and so far this year.

Philip Malone: Lachlan Lam has to be in there, insane assists and 4th in the table.