Wigan Warriors dominated the awards ceremony, walking away with the most prestigious honours across both the men’s and women’s competitions. In a night that highlighted the club’s depth and excellence, Brad O'Neill was announced as the 2026 Super League Man of Steel, while forward Jenna Foubister earned the coveted Woman of Steel title. The accolades didn’t stop there for the club’s coaching staff. Matt Peet, the head coach of the men’s side, and Denis Betts, who leads the women’s team, were each presented with a Coach of the Year award, underscoring Wigan’s comprehensive success on and off the field.
O'Neill’s triumph was hardly a surprise to those who have followed his rapid rise. The combative hooker had already secured the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association (RLWBA) Player of the Year award earlier in the season, a testament to his influence in Wigan’s campaign. His contributions were pivotal as the Warriors clinched the League Leaders’ Shield, lifted the Challenge Cup, and pushed deep into the playoffs, falling just 80 minutes short of a Grand Final appearance. At 24, O'Neill combines ferocious tackling, razor‑sharp passing accuracy, and remarkable durability.
Those attributes have cemented his place as a cornerstone of Matt Peet’s game plan. In the final voting, he edged out fellow Warrior Adam Keighran and Leeds Rhinos’ dynamic back Lachie Miller, securing the Man of Steel trophy with a clear margin.
On the women’s side, Jenna Foubister mirrored O'Neill’s achievement by being named Woman of Steel. She outperformed two of her own teammates, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams, who were also shortlisted for the award. Foubister’s consistency, leadership, and ability to turn matches in Wigan’s favour were cited as key factors in the decision. The night also celebrated emerging talent.
St Helens’ Harry Robertson was honoured as Super League Young Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, highlighting his continued development as a future star. In the women’s game, Leeds’ promising back Connie Boyd received the Women’s Young Player of the Year award, signaling a bright future for the club’s junior ranks. Adding to the list of individual honours, Halifax Panthers’ Rob Hawkins was named the 2026 Wheels of Steel winner, recognizing his exceptional contributions throughout the season.
Looking ahead, the Grand Final is set for Saturday, 3 October, with a 6 p.m. kick‑off at the iconic Old Trafford stadium in Manchester. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a prime‑time showcase of the sport’s biggest night. Old Trafford, often referred to as the "Theatre of Dreams," has hosted the Grand Final since its inception in 1998, with the sole exception of the 2020 edition that was relocated to Hull due to extraordinary circumstances.
To date, ten different clubs have contested the Grand Final, and the event has become a cornerstone of the Super League calendar. The list of participants now expands to eleven with Wakefield’s recent inclusion alongside stalwarts such as St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC, Catalans Dragons, Salford Red Devils, Castleford Tigers, Warrington Wolves, and Hull KR.
However, only five of those clubs—Wigan, St Helens, Bradford, Leeds, and Hull KR—have actually lifted the trophy. This season’s Grand Final carries an additional historical footnote: it will be the first ever final that does not feature any of the traditional powerhouses Wigan, Leeds, or St Helens. One of the remaining clubs, either Warrington or Wakefield, is poised to break into the elite group of winners, potentially reshaping the narrative of Super League dominance. Fans are encouraged to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, ensuring a smooth viewing experience of the pre‑match build‑up and the live action itself.
The broadcast will begin at 5 p.m. on Sky Sports, with the main event kicking off at 6 p.m., promising an evening of high‑intensity rugby league drama. In summary, Wigan Warriors’ clean sweep of the major awards reflects a season of sustained excellence across both genders and all levels of the club.
Brad O'Neill’s Man of Steel award, Jenna Foubister’s Woman of Steel accolade, and the dual Coach of the Year honours for Matt Peet and Denis Betts all point to a well‑structured, high‑performing organisation. As the league looks forward to the Grand Final, the stage is set for a historic showdown that could see a new champion emerge and further diversify the list of clubs that have ever held the coveted trophy.