The initial shortlist for the Super League Man of Steel will be revealed next week, Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney has confirmed.
In a change for 2026, the award for the competition’s best player will be decided by a panel of five ex-players who, after each third of the season, will release a shortlist of the best players in the competiton from that third.
With round 10 taking place, it means that the first shortlist is imminent, with Carney revealing that the shortlist has been ratified, and it will be publicised next week.
A number of players in the running, be that due to their try-scoring form, leadership or otherwise, the list is expected to throw up some surprises.
With that in mind, Sky pundits Jon Wilkin and Jamie Jones-Buchanan revealed their top five players of the season so far.
Super League legends offer top five Man of Steel predictions
Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s top five picks for Super League Man of Steel and why:
5 – Tristan Sailor
“St Helens have been decimated by injury, but this kid’s got after it. He’s got more offloads than anyone else in the league. He’s covering a lot of metres on the ground in most games…I think when [Saints] start to get players back, there’s a good chance that he could be a good outsider.”
4 – Jake Trueman
“He’s been a star for Wakefield this season. Max Jowitt, Josh Rourke, young Jack Sinfield, [Mason] Lino have all thrived off him… he’s played every minute of every game so far, and I think he’s really led Wakefield.
3 – Jake Connor
“Number three for me could have been number one. The guy is absolutely spell-binding. His execution, his pace, everything about him, he does things I’ve never, ever seen before. But for me, it’s the way he affects the players around him.
2 – Mikey Lewis
“He was a previous Man of Steel, and when he goes overboard, thst’s his weakness, but he’s really nailing it.”
1 – Lachie Miller
“He’s been phenomenal. I once described him as a player that needed to learn how to play rugby league, being an Olympic Sevens player, well this it what it looks like right now, he’s sensational.
Jon Wilkin’s top five picks for Super League Man of Steel and why:
5 – Danny Walker
“We talk a lot about ruck speed and how that’s changed the game. Well, I think Danny Walker’s been a beneficiary of that. I think he’s been outstanding. He plays big minutes in the middle. He’s a small guy. He plays tough.”
4 – Tyrone May
Mikey Lewis gets lot of plaudits, but I think Tyrone May has been tuxedo-wearingly good. Calm, in control, and I think him and Mikey together have been phenomenal.
3 – Brodie Croft
“Another former winner. [He’s] instinctive, line breaks, running the ball, scoring tries, and it’s all on the back of my number two…”
2 – Jake Connor
“Jake Connor is pulling all the strings. Statistically, maybe not as good, not as sharp as he was last year in the statistics, but people around him are just better this year. He’s having an exceptional year so far.”
1 – Jez Litten
“We watched him go toe-to-toe with Brisbane Broncos in a World Club Challenge. He came up with try-saving tackles. Almost single-handedly won Hull KR the game against the best team in the world. For me, that’s why he’s number one.”
