The 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel nominees have now been announced, and the final trio consists of two Wigan Warriors stand‑outs – Brad O'Neill and Adam Keighran – alongside Leeds Rhinos’ electrifying full‑back, Lachie Miller. The selection process was overseen by a distinguished panel of five former Man of Steel recipients: Ellery Hanley, Sam Tomkins, James Roby, Joe Lydon and Paul Sculthorpe.
These veterans trimmed an original list of twelve candidates down to the three finalists after a rigorous review of the season’s performances. The panel’s methodology involved three separate meetings, each covering a different segment of the Super League campaign. The first session evaluated rounds 1‑9, the second focused on rounds 10‑18, and the third examined the concluding rounds 19‑27.
After each meeting the judges compiled a "top‑five" for that particular third of the season. Over the course of the year, the following players appeared in the top‑five at least once: Brad O'Neill, Adam Keighran, Lachie Miller, Jake Connor, Umyla Hanley, Jez Litten, Tyrone May, Brodie Croft, Daryl Clark, Ash Handley, Bevan French and Jai Field. One surprising omission from the final shortlist was the reigning Man of Steel, Connor, who delivered a stellar year for Leeds Rhinos, registering an astonishing 43 assists – almost twice the output of any other play‑maker in the league. Despite his statistical dominance, the panel chose to look beyond raw numbers, weighing factors such as influence in key matches, consistency under pressure and overall impact on a team’s success.
Ellery Hanley, who also served on the judging panel, managed to place himself in the top‑five on two separate occasions – a distinction he shares only with O'Neill and Miller. However, his dual appearances were not enough to secure a spot in the ultimate three, illustrating how competitive the race has become. Adam Keighran’s performances earned him a top‑five placement during the final third of the season. The Australian‑born backline player proved to be a reliable scorer, finishing the regular season with 16 tries and an impressive 107 successful goal kicks.
In addition to his attacking contributions, Keighran has been praised for his hard‑hitting defensive work and his synergy with prolific winger Zach Eckersley, whose own try‑scoring exploits have helped Leeds maintain a strong league position throughout the year. Brad O'Neill, the combative hooker from Wigan, entered the shortlist after already securing the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) Player of the Year award.
O'Neill has been a cornerstone of Matt Peet’s side, helping the Warriors clinch the League Leaders’ Shield, capture the Challenge Cup and dominate the early stages of the Grand Final, all within an 80‑minute window. At 24 years old, his blend of tough tackling, razor‑sharp passing and remarkable durability has turned him into an indispensable component of a team chasing a historic treble. Lachie Miller, the dynamic Australian full‑back, has been a constant presence in the Man of Steel conversation since the opening weeks of the campaign. He topped the panel’s first vote after the initial nine rounds, thanks to his explosive running, reliable handling and, most notably, his record‑breaking defensive work.
Miller has amassed a staggering 166 tackle busts this term – the highest tally of any player in the competition – and his ability to turn broken play into attacking momentum has lit up countless matches for the Leeds Rhinos, who spent much of the season perched near the top of the league table. The broader context of the season adds further weight to these nominations.
The Super League play‑offs are currently underway, broadcast live on Sky Sports, with matches scheduled through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3. Recent results include Wakefield Trinity’s 26‑16 victory over Leigh Leopards on September 18 and Warrington Wolves’ 35‑12 demolition of Hull KR on September 19. The semi‑finals are set for September 25 and 26, featuring Leeds versus Warrington and Wigan versus Wakefield respectively.
While the shortlist is now set, the race is far from over. The final three will be judged on their performances in the remaining play‑off fixtures, with the ultimate goal of awarding the prestigious Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel trophy to the player deemed most outstanding across the entire season.
Whether it will be O'Neill’s relentless work rate, Keighran’s balanced attacking and defensive contributions, or Miller’s spectacular flair and defensive dominance, the decision promises to be a closely contested and highly anticipated conclusion to an exhilarating Super League campaign.