The race for the Man of Steel is about to get a whole lot more mysterious! Super League is shaking things up again for the 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award, moving away from the weekly points system to a more exclusive, end-of-season judging panel. This means the players you've been cheering for week in and week out might not be the ones who ultimately lift the coveted trophy!
For the past few seasons, we've seen a familiar process: a former player would award 3-2-1 points to the standout performers in each game. This created a public leaderboard, much like the NRL's Dally M Medal, which would then go 'dark' midway through the season. This kept us all guessing as the competition heated up!
But here's where it gets controversial... This entire system is being scrapped on the eve of the 2026 campaign! Instead, a five-man panel, whose identities are being kept under wraps tighter than a defensive scrum, will be tasked with reviewing all performances from across the entire season. Think of them as the ultimate rugby league connoisseurs, making the final call.
They will then deliberate and present a shortlist, with the ultimate winner being revealed at the traditional end-of-season awards ceremony. This approach, while different from the weekly reveal, still aims to culminate in a grand finale.
Remember Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor, the 2025 Man of Steel? He was a dominant force, leading the charge for much of the season before the leaderboard went dark. His incredible displays not only propelled Leeds back into the top four but also earned him the individual accolade. He managed to pip 2024 winner Mikey Lewis to the post, and it's highly likely he'll be a strong contender again this year.
However, Connor and all the other Super League superstars will be playing under a completely new set of rules when it comes to this prestigious award. The familiar weekly announcements of Man of Steel points are seemingly being retired, making way for this new, more secretive judging process in 2026.
But is this the right move? Does a closed panel truly capture the spirit of the game, or does the transparency of a weekly points system better reflect the fans' engagement? What do you think about this significant shift in how the Man of Steel is decided? Let us know in the comments below!
