The Super League Man of Steel panel will meet again after round 18 and with round 18 in the books, we’ve banded together a shortlist of players that they could well consider.
In a change to the Super League Man of Steel system for the 2026 season, a five-man panel comprising five former winners will meet after rounds nine, 18, and 27, before creating a final three-man shortlist from which the winner will be selected.
The initial discussion after round nine saw Leeds Rhinos’ Lachie Miller topping the charts with Hull KR’s Jez Litten and Tyrone May also inside the top five, as well as former winners Brodie Croft and Daryl Clark.
It meant that Maika Sivo, who had 17 tries in Super League at that point, missed out along with teammate and reigning Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor.
Ahead of the updated shortlist, we’ve picked out a five-man shortlist of our own and it’s fair to say that Leeds Rhinos dominate it.
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Super League Man of Steel contenders after round 18
Honourable Mentions: Jack Farrimond (Wigan Warriors), Umyla Hanley (Leigh Leopards) and Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Wakefield Trinity)
Two players who either haven’t or will not play enough to genuinely win the Man of Steel crown and another from a position that is traditionally overlooked.
Jack Farrimond was electric before his injury, registering six assists and three tries during the seven games he played since round nine, whilst also controlling the halves in the absence of Bevan French but given he may not play again until the play-offs he surely can’t be considered a true contender.
Umyla Hanley is a similar tale as he has played just seven games all season but during those seven games he has reminded everyone why he is among the best centres in Super League, registering three tries and seven assists.
As for Caleb Hamlin-Uele, he’s continued to be one of the standout props in Super League with Wakefield’s pack power a big reason why they sit third in the competition.
5th: Lachie Miller (Leeds Rhinos)
Onto the actual top five and the former number one Lachie Miller drops to five, mainly on account of the fact he suffered a three-game ban that has limited him to just six games in this second third of the season. He’s certainly performed in those games with Miller loving the drier tracks, averaging over 160 metres per game.
4th: Tyson Smoothy (Wakefield Trinity)
Wakefield’s pack have done a lot of the damage and their crafty dummy-half is showing the NRL pedigree that led to Trinity signing him. He even played in the halves in this weekend’s impressive win over Hull KR, showcasing his versatility.
3rd: Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos)
Whilst Umyla Hanley has been challenging him for this status, Ash Handley surely remains the best centre in Super League this year with seven assists and four tries of his own racked up in this second third of the season, including a magical display at Magic Weekend.
2nd: Jake Connor (Leeds Rhinos)
Not even in the top five when the shortlist was announced earlier in the season, Jake Connor is growing into the season with the Leeds man arguably even better than last year. He has racked up an incredible 19 assists in just nine games since then whilst also bagging two tries.
1st: Brodie Croft (Leeds Rhinos)
Despite Connor turning it on, he’s not quite been as good as his playing partner in the halves Brodie Croft. Another former winner, the Australian could see his name on the trophy again based on current form with ten tries and five assists racked up in this second third of the year.
