Dream Team in full: Barba; Makinson, Percival, Tupou, Johnstone; Lomax, Richardson; Thompson, Roby, Casty, Bateman, Ashurst, O'Loughlin.
Seven St Helens players included, three from Wakefield, two from Wigan and one from Catalans
Team selected by panel of broadcasters and journalists
Mark Percival is one of two St Helens players to have scored at least 20 Super League tries this season.
He has once again been in outstanding form for Saints in 2018, earning him a second consecutive inclusion in the Dream Team.
In a Ben Barba-less season, Wakefield's Tom Johnstone would have romped away with the top try-scorer accolade in Super League. His 24 scores have catapulted him into contention for England's end-of-season series with New Zealand.
Take into account that Johnstone battled back from a very serious knee injury last year, and it's been quite a comeback season for the winger.
Tommy Makinson is back in the Dream Team after a four-year absence.
So often the unsung hero of St Helens' back line - both in defence and attack - Makinson has contributed much more than just his 11 Super League tries this season.
He also made a try-scoring international debut for England against New Zealand in Denver in June.
Tommy Makinson scores second debut try of the match
Ben Barba's first season in Super League has been an undoubted success and, sadly for English rugby league neutrals, it may well be his last. He's already agreed a deal to return to Australia next season with North Queensland Cowboys.
His 28 tries make his the leading scorer in Super League and he's been pivotal in Saints' run to the semi-finals. How he'd love to bow out in style with a Grand Final win at Old Trafford on 13 October.
#bbcrl
Right, problems ironed out. Here's the 2018 Super League Dream Team. In full. Now...
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Having discovered the identities of the New Zealand players who will face Australia and then travel to these shores for the three-Test series, we hope to find out the names of those who will wear the white of England in the coming days too.
Let us know who you would call up, if you were in Wayne Bennett's shoes. You know the drill. #bbcrl.
Later this month, New Zealand will be in England for a three-Test series - they've named their squad today...
That pack looks a bit frightening. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was outstanding in the Sydney Roosters' Grand Final win against Melbourne. Nelson Asofa-Solomona is a huge unit.
New Zealand recall seven senior players for their end-of-season international with Australia and their three-Test series in England.
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Apologies for the break in our coverage here, but there are a few delays to the announcement of the 2018 Super League Dream Team.
While we wait, let's have a look at a few different rugby league stories to have come out over the past few hours.
In a Ben Barba-less season, Wakefield's Tom Johnstone would have romped away with the top try-scorer accolade in Super League. His 24 scores have catapulted him into contention for England's end-of-season series with New Zealand.
Take into account that Johnstone battled back from a very serious knee injury last year, and it's been quite a comeback season for the winger.
Tommy Makinson is back in the Dream Team after a four-year absence.
So often the unsung hero of St Helens' back line - both in defence and attack - Makinson has contributed much more than just his 11 Super League tries this season.
He also made a try-scoring international debut for England against New Zealand in Denver in June.
Tommy Makinson scores second debut try of the match
Ben Barba's first season in Super League has been an undoubted success and, sadly for English rugby league neutrals, it may well be his last. He's already agreed a deal to return to Australia next season with North Queensland Cowboys.
His 28 tries make his the leading scorer in Super League and he's been pivotal in Saints' run to the semi-finals. How he'd love to bow out in style with a Grand Final win at Old Trafford on 13 October.
#bbcrl
The time has come.
The 2018 Super League Dream Team is as follows...
#bbcrl
Right, well we're not far away now...
I'm happy to put myself up for ridicule here, this was the team I submitted for the 2018 Super League season:
Let me know who you would have picked... use #bbcrl on social media.
Richard Stead
BBC Radio Humberside commentator
I've really enjoyed watching St Helens' Tommy Makinson and Mark Percival, the dynamic duo in their three-quarter line. Prop Luke Thompson will certainly be in most people's Dream Teams.
Of the two clubs I cover, I'd say Scott Taylor and Jake Connor for Hull FC and Adam Quinlan and Robbie Mulhern of Hull KR stand out.
However, injuries and their team's overall lack of form will put paid to their hopes.
#bbcrl
For me, the best loose forward this year was Castleford's Adam Milner. Teak-tough, tackles hard, creates, h does it all.
Whether my peers will agree or not is a moot point.
Who are the other candidates? Well, Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin always makes a difference when he plays but he only made 17 appearances.
Catalans' Test and Origin veteran Greg Bird has had a strong season, while Jon Wilkin at Saints evoked memories of classic locks like Harry Pinner with his creative, running treatment of the 13 role.
Retiring Ryan Hinchcliffe is one outside chance, having been impressive at Huddersfield in his final season.
Image source, SWPIX.COM#bbcrl
Image source, SWPIX.COMThe nominees for Man of Steel are a hint here as to who is the perceived favourite for a Dream Team spot.
Canberra-bound back-rower John Bateman has been Wigan's go-to man. Whether they're seeking inspiration, that moment of quality or just a crowd-rousing carry, the England international just does it. He's outstanding.
Who will join him then, if we are led to believe Bateman is a given?
His opposite number from over the Billinge lump, Zeb Taia isn't a bad place to start. The St Helens man is a classic ram-rod back-row, hitting hard lines and scoring tries. Almost 3,000 metres, 414 carries and eight tries are indicators of his value.
Personally, I put Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook on my form. I think he's given Saints a big lift when coming on, although he has played prop, second-row and lock so maybe that will work against him. He's been sensational, though, for me.
Two lads from the Rhubarb Triangle have sweetened up Super League in 2018. Oli Holmes at Castleford has been the archetypal unsung hero, while Wakefield's Matty Ashurst is in the James Roby-mould as a player who turns in eight-out-of-10 performances on a regular basis.
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Image source, SWPIX.COMJames Roby's nomination for the Man of Steel award by his playing peers gives some insight into the possible destination of the Dream Team shirt.
The Saints veteran, 32, has been as peerless as ever in their charge toward glory, with 984 tackles, 11 try assists and four tries. He's a calming influence and a thorn in the side for opposing defences.
A bit like at international level, the wealth of excellent hookers means there are going to be some unfortunate figures come 13:00 BST.
Castleford dynamo Paul McShane has been genuinely class this season, making a division-high 1,161 tackles, while Catalans' Michael McIlorum has been magnificent with 12 try assists.
Daryl Clark at Warrington is a former Man of Steel and he's been back to his best there this season. He's made 990 tackles, run 2,660 metres and scooted an impressive 185 times from dummy half.
#bbcrl
The engine room. Without a platform, you could have a halves pairing of Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis and they'd have little impact.
Saints unsurprisingly have a pack that has caught the eye, notably in 23-year-old Luke Thompson whose late footwork, mobility and engine have made him a star front-rower. 3,633 metres is fair going.
Warrington have two front-rowers who could be lining up for England this autumn in Chris Hill and Mike Cooper. Their drive and grunt has helped steer the Wire to the top four and the Challenge Cup final.
Wakefield's David Fifita churned out big numbers while running about for Trinity this term. No wonder Jacob Miller had such a successful season on the back of his graft...
Remi Casty also had a fine season for Catalans Dragons, lifting the Challenge Cup. He made 677 tackles in the league and 220 carries. But it's his leadership and talismanic qualities which have put him among the contenders as much as his stats.
Image source, SWPIX.COM#bbcrl
Luke Gale was the stand-out half-back in a stand-out Castleford side in 2017, and the 2018 favourite could be named along a similar theme.
St Helens' Danny Richardson has belied his tender 22 years with exquisite goal-kicking, 17 try assists and 158 attacking kicks. He's swiftly become a big part of Saints' attacking dynamic.
Gale might have been named in the squad but he's missed a fair chunk of the season, handing an opening to 19-year-old Jake Trueman at the Jungle. His eight tries and a growing confidence at either six or seven helped the Tigers to the play-offs.
Catalans Dragons playmaker Josh Drinkwater joined midway through the season and had a massive impact in steering the Perpignan club away from danger, and to a first Challenge Cup success.
Danny Brough rolled back the years with his displays in Simon Woolford's resurgent Huddersfield side, pulling away from danger and comfortably into the Super 8s with his sharp kicking and organisational drive.
Image source, SWPIX.COM#bbcrl
Image source, SWPIX.COMNo stand-off in Super League has contributed to more tries in 2018 than Wakefield's Jacob Miller. The skilful Australian, nicknamed 'Milky', has a great kicking game and that has helped him conjure up 28 tries for his side, as well as scoring six of his own.
St Helens are never far away from the action in the 2018 shake-up and their number six - Jonny Lomax - has been outstanding as part of a devastating spine with Barba and Danny Richardson.
Warrington secured a top-four spot and reached the Challenge Cup final, in no small part down to their talismanic stand-off Kevin Brown, while Wigan's George Williams was a big part of their second-place Super League finish.
Few players played with the swagger and skills of Hull FC's Jake Connor during 2018, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the running for a huge chunk of the season. It might have cost him a spot in a few positions.