The 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel nominees have now been announced, and the final three contenders consist of Wigan Warriors’ dynamic duo Brad O'Neill and Adam Keighran, together with Leeds Rhinos’ electrifying full‑back Lachie Miller. The selection process was overseen by a distinguished panel of five former Man of Steel winners – Ellery Hanley, Sam Tomkins, James Roby, Joe Lydon and Paul Sculthorpe – who trimmed an initial list of twelve candidates down to the three‑man shortlist. The panel’s methodology was rigorous and systematic. Over the course of the season they convened three separate meetings, each focusing on a different block of fixtures: rounds 1‑9, rounds 10‑18 and rounds 19‑27.
After each meeting they identified a top‑five group of performers for that particular segment of the campaign. By the end of the season, the players who had managed to appear in the top‑five at any point were 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. Notably, the reigning Man of Steel, Connor, failed to make the final shortlist despite enjoying an outstanding season with Leeds Rhinos, during which he recorded a staggering 43 assists – almost twice the tally of any other playmaker in the league.
His omission highlights the depth of talent across the competition and the panel’s willingness to look beyond raw statistics when assessing overall impact. Ellery Hanley, who also served on the judging panel, managed to secure a place in the top‑five on two separate occasions – a distinction he shares only with O'Neill and Miller.
However, even with that consistency, Hanley did not progress into the ultimate three‑man group. Keighran, on the other hand, earned his spot by featuring in the top‑five during the final third of the season, demonstrating a strong finish to his campaign. Brad O'Neill, the combative hooker from Wigan, has already been recognised as the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) Player of the Year. His contributions have been instrumental in Wigan’s pursuit of a historic treble, helping the club secure the League Leaders’ Shield, the Challenge Cup and a place in the Grand Final within a single season.
At just 24 years of age, O'Neill’s blend of hard‑tackling, precise distribution and remarkable durability has cemented his role as a cornerstone of Matt Peet’s side. Lachie Miller, the Australian full‑back, entered the Man of Steel conversation early in the season.
He topped the panel’s first voting round after the opening nine fixtures, thanks to his explosive running, defensive reliability and an unprecedented 166 tackle busts – the highest total recorded by any player this term. Miller’s ability to turn broken play into attacking momentum has lit up numerous matches for the Leeds Rhinos, who spent a large portion of the campaign at the top of the league table. Adam Keighran, also a Wigan Warrior, finished the regular season with an impressive 16 tries and 107 goal conversions. Beyond his scoring prowess, Keighlon has been praised for his aggressive defensive work and the seamless partnership he has forged with prolific winger Zach Eckersley, whose own try‑scoring exploits have complemented Keighran’s contributions.
The Super League playoffs are currently in full swing, broadcast live on Sky Sports, and will continue through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3. Upcoming fixtures include: - Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity 26‑16 Leigh Leopards - Saturday September 19: Warrington Wolves 35‑12 Hull KR - Semi‑Final 1 – Friday September 25: Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves, 8 pm kickoff on Sky Sports - Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday September 26: Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity, 5:30 pm kickoff on Sky Sports As the playoffs progress, the three nominees – O'Neill, Keighran and Miller – will be under intense scrutiny, with each hoping to add the prestigious Man of Steel accolade to their growing list of achievements.
Their performances in the decisive matches will likely be the final factor the panel considers when awarding the 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award.