Surprise Leeds Rhinos star in top three of Man of Steel rankings

If someone had told you after the opening two games that Aidan Sezer would be in the top three of the Man of Steel rankings, you would not have believed them.

Sezer came in for heavy criticism after Leeds Rhinos’ opening day defeat to Warrington Wolves and copped more after he only made four metres against Hull FC in Round Two.

However, the last two weeks have seen him take more points than anyone else in the league.

After taking all three as the Man of the Match against St Helens in Round Three, Sezer’s assist and all round impressive running game against Wakefield Trinity saw him take two points.

This leaves him third behind Warrington Wolves star George Williams on six and Jordan Abdull of Hull KR on nine points.

Abdull had maximum points after three games but missed the defeat to Warrington last week whilst Williams also failed to score a point in the game.

WIGAN WARRIORS V CATALANS DRAGONS
The Dragons ended an 11 year drought after a hard-fought win against Wigan at the DW Stadium on Thursday Night. Manu Ma’u was integral to Catalans’ success and crossed for two tries to earn maximum Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel points. Micky McIlorum was at his scheming best against his former employer whilst Mike McMeeken slotted seamlessly into the front row to pick up the remaining Man of Steel point.

3 points: Manu Ma’u

2 points: Micky McIlorum

1 point: Mike McMeeken

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS V CASTLEFORD TIGERS
Will Pryce emerged from the interchange bench to put in a Player of the Match display on Friday Night. Olly Russell was influential during his first appearance in Betfred Super League this season, registering two Man of Steel points whilst Giants skipper Luke Yates earned one point thanks to huge 68 minute stint through the middle.

3 points: Will Pryce

2 points: Olly Russell

1 point: Luke Yates

LEEDS RHINOS V WAKEFIELD TRINITY
Rhinos off-season recruit Nene McDonald was rewarded for his efforts against Wakefield in Round 4 with his first Man of Steel points of the season. Experienced half-back Aidan Sezer ascends further up the Man of Steel leaderboard after picking up two points, whilst forward Cameron Smith was awarded the final point.

3 points: Nene McDonald

2 points: Aidan Sezer

1 point: Cameron Smith

HULL KR V WARRINGTON WOLVES
Sam Kasiano recorded his first Man of Steel points of the season after a busy display against the Robins on Friday Night. Hull KR back row Frankie Halton made the most of his start in the back row to pick up two points whilst Wolve centre Peter Mata’utia was the recipient of the final Man of Steel point.

3 points: Sam Kasiano

2 points: Frankie Halton

1 point: Peter Mata’utia

LEIGH LEOPARDS V ST HELENS
Early season Man of Steel favourite Edwin Ipape registered his first Man of Steel points of 2023 against the Champions on Friday Night. John Asiata was awarded his second set of two Man of Steel points to climb into the top 10 leaderboard, whilst Super League stalwart Josh Charnley picked up the final point.

3 points: Edwin Ipape

2 points: John Asiata

1 point: Josh Charnley

HULL FC V SALFORD RED DEVILS
Former Black and White Marc Sneyd orchestrated his old sides downfall in Round 4. England international Andy Ackers was in scintillating form on Saturday Afternoon and picked up two Man of Steel points, with 2022 Dream Team centre Tim Lafai completing a clean sweep for the Red Devils.

3 points: Marc Sneyd

2 points: Andy Ackers

1 point: Tim Lafai

Here is the leaderboard after four rounds:

Abdull leading the way 📈

The @StevePrescott1 MBE #ManOfSteel leaderboard following Round 4 👇 pic.twitter.com/K1Tny8Dwpm

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 14, 2023