Leeds Rhinos' pairing of Jake Connor and Ash Handley have surged to the very top of the most recent Steve Prescott Man of Steel rankings, which assess performances from rounds 10 through 18 of the Betfred Super League campaign. This marks a striking comeback for both players, who were completely absent from the previous shortlist that covered the earlier part of the season. Their teammate Lachie Miller, who had dominated the leaderboard after the first nine rounds, now occupies the third spot. Meanwhile, the industrious hooker from Wigan Warriors, Brad O'Neill, has climbed to fourth place, reflecting his vital contribution to the Warriors' recent resurgence.
Completing the top five is Leigh's electrifying centre, Umyla Hanley, whose dynamic play has earned him a place among the elite performers. 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 week they trim a ten‑man shortlist down to a final five, ensuring that only the most consistent and impactful players remain in contention as the season progresses. Four of the five players in this latest top‑five are newcomers compared with the previous iteration of the list; only Miller has managed to retain his position.
Both Connor and Handley have re‑entered the conversation after being omitted from the earlier rankings, underscoring the dramatic improvement in their form over the middle portion of the campaign. Former England captain Sam Tomkins praised the Leeds duo, stating that both Ash Handley and Jake Connor "fully deserve" to lead the Man of Steel leaderboard. Tomkins highlighted Handley as being in the best form of his career, while also emphasizing Connor's pivotal role in Leeds' push towards an Old Trafford appearance.
Tomkins explained: "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." Other notable performances have also been recognised. Hull KR's Mikey Lewis, the 2024 Man of Steel winner who recently received a four‑match suspension for a headbutt, earned votes but fell short of the top five. Similarly, Toulouse Olympique's versatile back Olly Ashall‑Bott garnered support but did not make the final cut.
The remainder of the ten‑man shortlist includes Tyrone May, Daryl Clark and Leeds winger Maika Sivo – the competition's leading try scorer – alongside other strong contenders. Notably absent this week are Jez Litten and Brodie Croft, who finished second and fourth respectively in the inaugural edition of the awards.
The expert panel will reconvene after Round 27 to narrow the field further, ultimately producing a three‑man shortlist that will be debated before a final decision is made. The ultimate winner of the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award will be revealed at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on 29 September.
Fans can follow every Super League match live on Sky Sports this season, with two fixtures each round broadcast exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available via Sky Sports+. For those seeking tickets, official Super League ticket outlets provide access to all games, ensuring supporters can experience the excitement in person. In addition to the on‑field action, the league offers a range of multimedia content, including the "Bench" podcast hosted by Jenna and Jon, which provides analysis, interviews and behind‑the‑scenes insight into the competition. For a smoother viewing experience, the league recommends using the Chrome browser to access its accessible video player.
Overall, the current Man of Steel leaderboard reflects a blend of seasoned talent and emerging stars, with Connor and Handley exemplifying the high‑level performance and consistency required to contend for rugby league's most prestigious individual honour.