The 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel nominees have now been announced, and the final trio features two Wigan Warriors stand‑outs – Brad O'Neill and Adam Keighran – alongside Leeds Rhinos’ electrifying full‑back Lachie Miller. A distinguished panel of five former Man of Steel recipients – Ellery Hanley, Sam Tomkins, James Roby, Joe Lydon and Paul Sculthorpe – was tasked with trimming an initial twelve‑player longlist down to three ultimate contenders. The judges convened on three separate occasions, each time reviewing a different segment of the regular season: rounds 1‑9, rounds 10‑18 and rounds 19‑27. After each meeting they produced a "top five" for that particular third of the campaign.
When the three sets of top‑five lists were compared, a core group of players emerged as consistent performers throughout the year. Those names 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. Each of these athletes managed to appear in at least one of the panel’s five‑player selections, demonstrating a sustained level of excellence across the long Super League season.
It is worth noting that the defending Man of Steel, Connor, did not make the final cut despite delivering a spectacular campaign for Leeds. Connor recorded an astonishing 43 assists – almost twice the output of any other playmaker in the competition – yet the panel chose to look elsewhere for the ultimate award. Ellery Hanley, who also served on the judging committee, managed to place himself in the top‑five on two separate occasions, a feat matched only by O'Neill and Miller.
However, Hanley fell short of the final three, highlighting the fierce competition for the honour. Adam Keighran earned his place in the shortlist by featuring in the panel’s top‑five for the season’s concluding third.
His consistency in the latter stages of the campaign helped cement his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable backs. Brad O'Neill, a hard‑nosed hooker known for his aggressive tackling and razor‑sharp distribution, entered the shortlist after already securing the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) Player of the Year award. O'Neill was instrumental in Wigan’s treble‑winning run, contributing to the League Leaders’ Shield, a Challenge Cup triumph and a dominant performance in the Grand Final that lasted just 80 minutes. At 24, his blend of durability, precise passing and relentless defensive work has made him a cornerstone of Matt Peet’s side, which has been chasing historic silverware throughout the season.
Lachie Miller, the Australian full‑back for Leeds, has been a Man of Steel conversation starter from the very beginning of the campaign. He topped the panel’s first voting round after the opening nine matches, and his impact has only grown since.
Miller’s statistics are eye‑catching: he has amassed a league‑leading 166 tackle busts, showcasing his ability to break through opposition defenses. His dynamic running game has lit up countless moments for the Rhinos, who spent much of the season perched near the top of the league table. Keighran concluded the regular season with a personal haul of 16 tries and 107 goals, underlining his dual threat as both a finisher and a reliable goal‑kicker. Beyond his offensive contributions, he has earned widespread praise 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 efforts.
The Super League play‑offs are now in full swing, with matches being broadcast live on Sky Sports. The schedule includes: - 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 The playoffs will continue through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, where the season’s ultimate champion will be crowned. As the competition narrows, the three Man of Steel nominees – O'Neill, Keighran and Miller – will be under intense scrutiny, each hoping to add the prestigious individual accolade to their already impressive resumes.
Whether the award ultimately goes to a player from the eventual Grand Final winners or to a standout from a team that fell short, the shortlist reflects the depth of talent on display throughout the 2026 Super League season. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as the final votes are tallied, anticipating a decision that celebrates both individual brilliance and the collective spirit of the game.