The 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel nominees have now been announced, and the final three contenders consist of Wigan Warriors’ hard‑working duo Brad O'Neill and Adam Keighran together with Leeds Rhinos’ electrifying full‑back Lachie Miller. The selection was carried out 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 original list of twelve candidates down to the three‑man shortlist.
The judges convened on three separate occasions throughout the season, each meeting covering a different block of fixtures: the first session reviewed rounds 1‑9, the second examined rounds 10‑18, and the third evaluated rounds 19‑27. After each review they produced a "top five" for that segment of the campaign. The players who managed to appear in the top‑five at any point during the year 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. Despite a spectacular campaign for Leeds, reigning Man of Steel Connor did not survive to the final shortlist.
His season was highlighted by an astonishing 43 assists – almost twice the output of any other playmaker in the competition – but the panel ultimately favored other performances for the ultimate award. Ellery Hanley, who also served on the judging panel, earned a place in the top‑five on two separate occasions, matching the feat achieved only by O'Neill and Miller.
Nevertheless, he fell short of the final three. Keighran, on the other hand, secured a top‑five slot during the last third of the season, reinforcing his case for the honour. Brad O'Neill, a combative hooker, has already collected the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) Player of the Year trophy after playing a pivotal role in Wigan’s treble‑winning run, which included the League Leaders’ Shield, the Challenge Cup and a dominant performance in the Grand Final within an 80‑minute window.
At 24, O'Neill’s blend of aggressive tackling, razor‑sharp distribution and remarkable durability has cemented his status as a cornerstone of Matt Peet’s side as they chased historic silverware. Australian full‑back Lachie Miller has been a contender for the Man of Steel accolade since the season’s opening weeks. He topped the panel’s first voting round after the initial nine fixtures and has continued to impress with his attacking flair. No other player has recorded as many as Miller’s 166 tackle busts this term, and his incisive running has frequently broken open matches for the Leeds Rhinos, who spent much of the campaign perched near the top of the league table.
Adam Keighran finished the regular season with a tidy haul of 16 tries and 107 goals. Beyond his scoring statistics, Keighran has drawn commendation for his hard‑hitting defensive work and the seamless partnership he has forged with prolific winger Zach Eckersley, whose own try‑scoring exploits have complemented Keighran’s all‑round contributions. The Super League playoffs are now in full swing, broadcast live on Sky Sports and set to culminate with the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October. The upcoming fixtures include: - Friday 18 September: Wakefield Trinity 26 – 16 Leigh Leopards - Saturday 19 September: Warrington Wolves 35 – 12 Hull KR - Semi‑Final 1 – Friday 25 September: Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves, 8 pm kickoff on Sky Sports - Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday 26 September: Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity, 5.30 pm kickoff on Sky Sports As the play‑offs progress, the three shortlisted players will be under intense scrutiny, each hoping to add the prestigious Man of Steel trophy to their personal accolades.
O'Neill’s relentless work rate, Miller’s explosive attacking style and Keighran’s balanced offensive‑defensive game all present compelling arguments for why any of them could be crowned the season’s standout performer. The final decision will be made after the Grand Final, when the panel reconvenes to vote based on the entire season’s body of work, including the high‑stakes playoff performances.
The anticipation builds not only among the clubs and their supporters but also across the broader rugby league community, eager to see which of these exceptional athletes will lift the coveted Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award.