The 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel shortlist has now been announced, featuring a trio of standout performers: Brad O'Neill and Adam Keighran from the Wigan Warriors, alongside Leeds Rhinos’ dynamic full‑back Lachie Miller. The selection was the result of a rigorous evaluation process carried out by a distinguished panel of five former Man of Steel recipients – Ellery Hanley, Sam Tomkins, James Roby, Joe Lydon and Paul Sculthorpe – who trimmed an initial pool of twelve candidates down to the final three nominees. The panel’s methodology was systematic and thorough. Over the course of the season they convened three times, each meeting focusing on a different segment of the competition: the first nine rounds, rounds ten through eighteen, and the final stretch from rounds nineteen to twenty‑seven.
In each of these three phases they compiled a "top five" list based on performances, consistency, and impact on the game. The players who managed to appear in the top five at any point during the season 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. It is worth noting that the reigning Man of Steel, Connor, did not make the ultimate shortlist despite delivering a spectacular campaign for Leeds Rhinos, where he recorded an astonishing 43 assists – nearly twice the output of any other play‑maker in the league.
This omission underscores the depth of talent on display and the high standards applied by the judging panel. Ellery Hanley, who also served on the panel, was the only other player besides O'Neill and Miller to feature in the top five on two separate occasions, yet he fell short of the final three. Adam Keighran earned his place by securing a top‑five spot in the panel’s assessment of the season’s concluding third, demonstrating his sustained influence as the campaign progressed. Brad O'Neill, a combative hooker renowned for his hard‑tackling style, precise distribution and remarkable resilience, has already been honoured with the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) Player of the Year award.
His contributions were pivotal in Wigan Warriors clinching the League Leaders’ Shield, lifting the Challenge Cup, and reaching the Grand Final within an 80‑minute span. At just 24 years old, O'Neill has cemented his status as an indispensable component of Matt Peet’s treble‑chasing side, blending defensive grit with creative passing to dominate the middle of the park. Lachie Miller, the Australian full‑back, entered the Man of Steel conversation early in the season and maintained his momentum throughout. He topped the panel’s first voting round after the opening nine matches, a testament to his immediate impact.
Miller’s statistics are eye‑catching: no other player has recorded as many as his 166 tackle busts this term, and his electrifying running game has repeatedly turned the tide in Leeds Rhinos’ favour, especially during periods when the club held the league lead. His ability to combine speed, agility, and a keen sense of positioning makes him a constant threat on the flank.
Adam Keighran concluded the regular season with a respectable tally of 16 tries and 107 goals. Beyond his scoring prowess, Keighran has been lauded 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 contributions. Their combined efforts have provided Leeds with a balanced attacking option that can exploit gaps and finish moves with precision.
The broader context of the competition sees the Super League playoffs in full swing, broadcast live on Sky Sports and set to culminate in 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 win against Hull KR on September 19. The semi‑finals are scheduled as follows: Leeds Rhinos will face Warrington Wolves on Friday, September 25 at 8 p.m.
(knock‑out) on Sky Sports, while Wigan Warriors take on Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, September 26 at 5:30 p.m. (knock‑out) on the same network. In summary, the three‑player shortlist reflects a blend of seasoned excellence and emerging talent. O'Neill’s defensive mastery, Keighran’s dual threat as a scorer and defender, and Miller’s explosive attacking flair each embody the qualities the Man of Steel award seeks to celebrate.
As the playoffs progress, fans and pundits alike will watch closely to see whether any of these nominees can translate their regular‑season brilliance into the ultimate accolade.