Amid reports that the Super League Man of Steel process will change, we’ve looked at which players could benefit the most.
The Steve Prescott Super League Man of Steel award is the most prestigious award that an individual can win in British and French rugby league, awarded to the best player over the course of a season.
The Man of Steel concept predates Super League, first awarded to Leeds Rhinos’ David Lloyd, with the first Super League winner being Andy Farrell, one of a handful of men to win the award twice.
In recent years, Man of Steel points have been awarded after every fixture with three, two and one point totals handed out in each game to the three best players. That’s totted up over the course of a season with the winner ultimately being revealed at the end-of-season awards.
Per reports from All Out Rugby League, that system is set to change with a five-person panel set to decide on a five-player shortlist, with the winner again unveiled at the end-of-season awards.
It’s a big shift that will benefit some players much more, mainly those who feature less in starring roles but more so in consistent ones. Similarly, those players who feature on teams packed full of game-winners and stars might also benefit as the 3-2-1 point system often meant top players missed out at the expense of their teammates.
Leeds Rhinos’ Lachie Miller was often victim to Jake Connor’s success in 2025, just like Jai Field has been to Bevan French in the past.
Given that change, we’ve picked out five players who have seen their Super League Man of Steel chances improve based on the reported system change.
Super League Man of Steel beneficiaries
Bevan French (Wigan Warriors)
The logic behind this one is simple and it’s that Bevan French is simply the best player in Super League. If the system changes to one where players are judged over the course of a full season as opposed to picking up points in 27 separate games, then Bevan French benefits massively.
Assessing 80 minutes each week and whether or not a player deserves three points can see even the top talents like French miss out, however, judgement over an entire season will see the cream rise to the top and Bevan French is the standout man in Super League.
Jackson Hastings (St Helens)
By a similar logic to that of French, St Helens’ new boy Jackson Hastings will have a very strong chance but it’s also to do with the fact that he may have been a victim previously of his fellow teammate’s success.
Hastings will likely bring consistency and control which on a game per game basis may not be recognised or rewarded, but across a season that impact is very evident.
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Recent Man of Steel winners have all been creative sparks and whilst Litten can do that, he also leads Hull KR in their defensive efforts and their speed of play, things that aren’t necessarily flashy so might not have been rewarded under the old system.
That’s self-evident in the fact a hooker has not won the award since 2016 in Danny Houghton*. Even more important to Litten’s chance are the new rules around ruck speed, something that will benefit him massively.
*Paul McShane won the award in 2020 in the shortened Covid season. He did also spend time in the halves.
Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)
Potentially the biggest shortcoming of the previous Man of Steel system was the fact that Lachlan Lam was not shortlisted in 2025 despite having an incredible 41 try assists, the second-most ever in a Super League campaign.
That consistency not being rewarded highlighted a major flaw and he will surely be in a five-man shortlist in 2026 if he can replicate those numbers.
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
The previous system was also heavily weighted to backs, particularly those in the spine, but players like Mike McMeeken, Matty Lees and the currently injured Herman Ese’ese have massive impacts on their team and prove week-in and week-out why they’re among the best players in the competition.
If this award truly is about that, then a forward such as McMeeken should see his chances of success improve massively.
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Ray
February 5, 2026 at 8:09 pm
So it’s a bit like Eurovision voting with the 5 person panel bringing their petty biases.Leeds player nil point,Wigan players un point, saint Helens un point, Warrington un point,Catalan dragons Deux points.