The 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel shortlist has been revealed, with Wigan Warriors duo Brad O'Neill and Adam Keighran nominated alongside Leeds Rhinos' Lachie Miller. A panel made up of five former Man of Steel winners; Ellery Hanley, Sam Tomkins, James Roby, Joe Lydon and Paul Sculthorpe, narrowed down the 12-player list into a final three. The panel met three times across the season to look at rounds 1-9, 10-18, and 19-27 and came up with a top five for each third.
Players who had made it into a top five across the season were: O'Neill, Keighran, Miller, Jake Connor, Umyla Hanley, Jez Litten, Tyrone May, Brodie Croft, Daryl Clark, Ash Handley, Bevan French, and Jai Field. Reigning Man of Steel Connor has not made the final shortlist despite a brilliant season for Leeds Rhinos in which he came up with 43 assists, nearly double the amount of any other playmaker in the competition. Hanley was also included in the panel's top five on two occasions, the only player to achieve such a feat alongside O'Neill and Miller, but is not in the top three.
Keighran was included in the top five from the panel for the final third of the season. Combative hooker O'Neill has already claimed the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) Player of the Year award having helped Wigan to the League Leaders' Shield, the Challenge Cup and within 80 minutes of the Grand Final. With his tough-tackling, pinpoint passing and impressive durability, the 24-year-old has developed into an integral part of Matt Peet's Treble-chasing side.
Australian full-back Miller has been in the Man of Steel conversation since the opening weeks of the season, when he came out on top in the panel's first vote after the opening nine rounds. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player No player has made more than the electric Leeds full-back's 166 tackle busts this term and his brilliant running game has lit up plenty of contests for Rhinos, who were long-time league leaders. Keighran finished the regular campaign with 16 tries and 107 goals, but he has also earned praise for his hard-hitting defence and classy partnership with free-scoring winger Zach Eckersley.
Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity 26-16 Leigh Leopards Saturday September 19: Warrington Wolves 35-12 Hull KR Semi-Final 1 - Friday September 25: Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves, 8pm KO on Sky Sports Semi-Final 2 - Saturday September 26: Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity, 5.30pm KO on Sky Sports The Super League play-offs are under way, live on Sky Sports, and continue all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.
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