The Huddersfield Giants stars who could win the Man of Steel in 2023

Rugby league is littered with prestigious awards.

There is the golden boot award for the best international player, the Harry Sunderland Award is given to the man who stands out in the Super League Grand Final, the Lance Todd trophy goes to the Man of the Match in the Challenge Cup Final.

But the Steve Prescott Man of Steel is the biggest individual honour a Super League player can pick up.

In most sports, the player of the year exclusively goes to a team from the Champions, but not in rugby league.

In 2022 the Man of Steel came from sixth, in 2020 from eighth and in 2011 the Man of Steel winner finished ninth in the league.

So, any team can have a player who wins the Man of Steel so we’re looking at every club’s biggest chance at winning the honour in 2023.

So, which Huddersfield Giants player stands out as their best chance at winning the Man of Steel?

A Huddersfield player last won the award a decade ago in the shape of Danny Brough in 2013 when the Giants last finished top and won the League Leaders’ Sheild.

This followed Brett Hodgson picking up the award in 2009 in his debut season in Super League.

So, 10 years on from the last Giant to win the award in a Huddersfield side expected to push St Helens and Wigan Warriors in the race for top spot, which players are best placed to win the award.

Tui Lolohea was unlucky to not make the top three last year and another season like last season will surely see him in the mix.

Meanwhile, a halfback and organiser of the calibre of Theo Fages will be in the mix if he stays fit all season.

Skipper Andy Yates is another player who with a good season could scoop the award but the player with the best chance is perhaps Jake Connor.

Returning to the club from Hull FC, he is perhaps the final piece of the puzzle for Ian Watson’s side and in a team set to be very consistent at the top of the league, the walking highlights reel that is Connor could see him win the award.