Man Of Steel - Five-man shortlist revealed

Leeds Rhinos full-back Lachie Miller has emerged top of the pile in the early running for the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel. 

Panellists Ellery Hanley MBE, Paul Sculthorpe MBE, Sam Tomkins, James Roby and Joe Lydon, who have all won the prestigious award, debated the form of players across the opening nine rounds of Betfred Super League, with Australian star Miller coming out in pole position. 

Hull KR and England hooker Jez Litten was voted second with club-mate Tyrone May coming in third. 

Leeds stand-off Brodie Croft earned plenty of support, too, taking fourth spot with St Helens hooker Daryl Clark completing the five. 

The five panellists whittled down a ten-man shortlist, which also included top try-scorer Maika Sivo from Rhinos, on Man of Steel – The Panel, a new show hosted by Brian Carney. 

The programme, exclusive to SuperLeague+ and available FREE, which will air for the first time on Tuesday evening at 7PM. 

Miller made more tackle breaks (70) than any other player in Super League in the opening nine rounds. On three occasions, he made ten or more tackle breaks in one match, with the only other player achieving that being Toulouse Olympique’s Olly Ashall-Bott. 

The electric 31 year-old topped carries with 206 runs, his tackle evasion rate of 74% was the highest in the competition while he also weighed in with nine try assists for leaders Rhinos. 

Former Wigan, Leeds and Great Britain captain Hanley, the only player to win Man of Steel three times, said: “One of Lachie Miller’s great attractions is this: the public comes to see him. 

“He announces himself in every game. 

“If you went to any opposition club Leeds were playing against, I bet Lachie Miller would be on the top of their list of players they need to get on top of.  

“He's one of the hardest players to tackle in Super League and has been sensational throughout the season so far. 

“His field position is absolutely brilliant at full-back and his pass accuracy has been magnificent for some of the tries he's created both on the left and right. 

“It was really interesting analysing the players’ form across the competition so far with the rest of the panel. 

“Lachie Miller’s number one at the moment – but a lot can change through the rest of the year.” 

The Panel will meet again after Round 18 and Round 27 before having a final deliberation to decide their three-man shortlist and eventual winner which will be announced at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on Tuesday September 29.