Man of Steel: Ash Handley and Jake Connor claim joint-top spot

Leeds Rhinos pair Jake Connor and Ash Handley have claimed joint-top spot in the latest rankings for Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel. 

The duo emerged as Betfred Super League’s best as panellists made their picks based on Round 10 to 18.

Leeds team-mate Lachie Miller had bagged the same accolade for the opening nine rounds of the competition but he had to settle for third spot this time around as the race for the prestigious award heats up. 

Panellists Ellery Hanley MBE, Paul Sculthorpe MBE, Sam Tomkins, James Roby and Joe Lydon, who have all won the Man of Steel award previously, whittled down a ten-man shortlist to reach their conclusions.

The debate sees the legendary former players air their contrasting views in an entertaining second episode of Man of Steel – The Panel, the new show hosted by Brian Carney, exclusive to SuperLeague+ and available FREE.

Controversially, gifted scrum-half Connor, the reigning Man of Steel, didn’t even make the cut for the ten-man shortlist last time around and neither did centre Handley. 

However, they were close back then - and their electric form for the Super League leaders in the middle section of the campaign has seen them not only win over most of the panellists but fly right to the top. 

Ex-England captain Tomkins, who claimed Man of Steel in 2012 and 2021, admitted: “As always, it was really difficult whittling down to the final five. 

“But I think the two guys that top it – Jake Connor and Ash Handley – fully deserve it.

“That’s given Leeds are the form team in the competition with some great results over this nine-round period.

“They have really cemented themselves as frontrunners to make Old Trafford and I think Jake and Ash combined have been pivotal in that. 

“We’re seeing the best of Jake again. His kicking has been outstanding, his try assists and his influence – the way he runs that side of the pitch – is clear for everyone to see.

“And Ash Handley is certainly in the best form of his career. That’s without doubt, in my opinion. 

“For so long he was really close, and you could have argued he was slightly inconsistent at times in previous years. 

“But in this last block of nine games Ash has been a stand-out player in Super League. 

“He’s been quality every single week. I love the way the Leeds side look to him to be a leader as well. Not only does he provide tries – so many for Super League’s top scorer Maika Sivo – score tries and does all the hard work but he’s always the one that the lads seem to be looking at as well.  

“He’s certainly at the top of his game - and deserves to be at the top of our list.”

Showing the vibrancy of Super League, there are four newcomers in the top five. 

Wigan Warriors’ industrious hooker Brad O’Neill came fourth having helped underpin their resurgence and Leigh’s dynamic centre Umyla Hanley was fifth having proved the scourge of Super League defences. 

Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis, who won Man of Steel in 2024, and Toulouse Olympique’s Olly Ashall-Bott also claimed votes but not enough to challenge the top five. 

The other players in the top ten were the Robins’ Tyrone May, Leeds’ prolific winger Sivo and St Helens hooker Daryl Clark.

Miller, Sivo, May and Clark have been in the reckoning in both editions. 

The Panel will meet again after 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. 

Supporters need to create a RL1 account (auth.rugby-league.com/dashboard) before signing into Super League+ (superleagueplus.co.uk) to access Man of Steel – The Panel.