Leeds Rhinos’ dynamic pairing of Jake Connor and Ash Handley have surged to the summit of the latest Steve Prescott Man of Steel leaderboard, which evaluates performances from rounds 10 through 18 of the Betfred Super League campaign. Their ascent is particularly notable because neither player featured on the previous shortlist, highlighting a dramatic swing in form and recognition during the middle phase of the season. Holding the third spot on the table is their teammate Lachie Miller, who had been the clear front‑runner after the opening nine rounds of fixtures.
Miller’s consistency kept him in the mix, but he was overtaken by the Leeds duo as the competition progressed. In fourth place sits Brad O’Neill, the industrious hooker from Wigan Warriors, whose steady contributions have been instrumental in the resurgence of his club’s fortunes. Rounding out the top five is Leigh’s electrifying centre, Umyla Hanley, whose blend of speed and power has made him a constant threat on the edge of the opposition’s defence. The rankings are compiled by a distinguished panel of five former Man of Steel winners – Ellery Hanley, Paul Sculthorpe, Sam Tomkins, James Roby and Joe Lydon.
Each panelist reviews the performances of a ten‑man shortlist and trims it down to a top‑five selection at regular intervals throughout the season. This season’s top five is marked by fresh faces: four of the five players are newcomers compared with the previous round’s list, while only Miller remains from the earlier cohort. Both Connor and Handley have re‑entered the conversation after being absent from the prior shortlist, underscoring a surge in their impact on the field.
Former England captain Sam Tomkins praised the Leeds pair, stating that both Ash Handley and Jake Connor "fully deserve" to dominate the Man of Steel leaderboard. Tomkins singled out Handley as being in the best form of his career, a sentiment echoed by many pundits who have watched the duo dictate play for Leeds.
"They have really cemented themselves as frontrunners to make Old Trafford and I think Jake and Ash combined have been pivotal in that," Tomkins remarked, referring to the prestigious Rugby League Grand Final venue. Tomkins continued, highlighting specific aspects of Connor’s game: "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." He added, "And Ash Handley is certainly in the best form of his career.
That's without doubt, in my opinion." Such endorsements from a former elite player add considerable weight to the Leeds duo’s credentials as they chase the coveted award. Other notable contenders who received votes but fell short of the top five include Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis, the 2024 Man of Steel winner who was recently handed a four‑match suspension for a head‑butt incident, and Toulouse Olympique’s versatile back Olly Ashall‑Bott. Both players earned recognition from the panel but were edged out by the higher‑scoring performances of the Leeds pair and the other finalists. Completing the ten‑man shortlist are Tyrone May, Daryl Clark and Leeds winger Maika Sivo, who leads the competition in try‑scoring.
Their inclusion reflects a blend of attacking flair and defensive reliability across the league. Notably absent from this year’s shortlist are Jez Litten and Brodie Croft, who finished second and fourth respectively in the inaugural edition of the award, indicating the fluid nature of form and influence as the season unfolds.
The panel will reconvene after Round 27 to narrow the field once more, this time producing a three‑man shortlist that will set the stage for the final decision. The ultimate winner will be revealed at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on 29 September, an event that celebrates the sport’s finest achievements over the calendar year. For fans wishing to follow the action, Sky Sports holds broadcasting rights to every Super League match this season.
Two fixtures per round are shown live exclusively on the main Sky Sports channel, while the remaining five games are streamed via Sky Sports+. This extensive coverage ensures that supporters can track the performances of their favourite players, including the Man of Steel hopefuls, as the league races toward its climactic finish.
In addition to televised coverage, supporters can purchase tickets directly through official Super League channels, guaranteeing access to the live atmosphere that often fuels standout performances. The combination of on‑field excellence, expert panel evaluation, and widespread media exposure makes the Man of Steel award a true barometer of individual brilliance within the collective drama of the Super League.