There were three nominees for the Coach of the Year, and all three would have been worthy winners.
Salford Red Devils’ Paul Rowley was up for the honour after defying the odds to take Salford to the play-offs in 2022.
The Red Devils were tipped to be in the mix at the bottom of the league and certainly seemed as such despite a strong start with a win over Castleford, they hardly conjured up play-off form in the first half of the season.
However, an amazing second half of the season, the Red Devils wrapped up a play-off spot with a game to spare and were seen by many as the dark horses for the Super League title spear headed by Man of Steel nominee Brodie Croft.
They made it as far as the semi-finals until the Champions proved too much for them especially in the absence of Croft through a head knock.
Meanwhile, St Helens’ boss Kristian Woolf unsurprisingly was nominated for the award guiding the Champions to the League Leaders’ Shield despite plenty of injuries such as to Lewis Dodd, Regan Grace and Will Hopoate.
He has also led them to a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final whilst a record setting fourth consecutive title is certainly on the cards.
However, he hasn’t been able to win the Coach of the Year with Matt Peet doing so after revolutionising Wigan’s attack in 2022 which let them down in 2021.
He had the Warriors pushing Saints at the top which is easier said than done these days and also guided the Warriors to a record 20th Challenge Cup and certainly deserves the accolade of Coach of the Year though will wish he had one more game to prepare for.
Don’t bet against the Warriors returning to the Grand Final in 2023.
