Image source, SWPIX.COM

Power, pace, creativity, understanding, good defence; all attributes required by a good centre.

Stats-wise, few three-quarters can compete with Bill Tupou's numbers. The Wakefield Trinity man has a league-best mammoth 4,114 metres in Super League, 14 tries and another division-best 475 carries. He's a go-to man.

Saints centre Mark Percival has 25 tries in 30 games as a strike weapon on the left edge and could be a key part of England's autumn campaign against the Kiwis.

Wigan's Oliver Gildart has had another impressive season with 12 tries in 26 games, while Tupou's team-mate Reece Lyne played his way into international contention with 11 tries in 29 games and proving a useful foil for Ben Jones-Bishop.

Castleford's Michael Shenton was another consistent performer, helping the Tigers to the Super League semi-finals.

There are some sparkling candidates for this position, many of whom are among the top finishers in the division.

Wakefield's Tom Johnstone has not only been tipped for the Dream Team in the 2018 season, he's also among those talked about for England's three-Test series against New Zealand this autumn.

He's scored 24 Super League tries, more than anyone other than Barba.

His team-mate Ben Jones-Bishop has also been in prolific form, scoring 18 tries, as has Castleford's Greg Eden despite missing part of the campaign through injury.

St Helens - no surprises - have their own hopefuls too. Tommy Makinson made his international bow in 2018 and is a consistent performer, while on the opposite flank there's Regan Grace.

Warrington's Josh Charnley made a remarkable mid-season return to rugby league and scored 24 tries in 22 games, while his fellow flier Tom Lineham scored 21 tries in all competitions.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

Image source, SWPIX.COM

You have to feel sorry for the other Super League full-backs in 2018, as there has been just one name on the lips this term, and that's Ben Barba.

The 29-year-old St Helens star has been electric, scoring 28 tries in 22 games, as well as 24 try assists and 30 clean breaks. He has been box office.

Warrington's Stefan Ratchford has had a fine season too. The England international has 15 tries, 19 try assists and 3,441 metres.

Otherwise, there's Catalans full-back Tony Gigot, with six tries in 10 games despite his absence for much of the season, or Wigan's Sam Tomkins?

Unfortunately, this award might well be sewn up already.

Image source, PA

After 30 gruelling Super League rounds, we're down to the final four.

St Helens host Warrington Wolves in the first semi-final on Thursday (19:45 BST), followed 24 hours later by Wigan's game against Castleford.

You can follow live text and radio coverage of both games on the BBC Sport website and app, as well as the Grand Final on Saturday, 13 October.

Jay Freeman
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Image source, Jay Freeman

There's a sense of excitement as the media gather at Old Trafford for today's Dream Team announcement.

Not long to go now.

Will League Leaders' Shield winners St Helens have a fair amount of representation? We shall find out at 13:00 BST.

So, with all the top-four placings sorted, the semi-finals almost upon us and a Grand Final looming, what better time to evaluate just who have been the best players throughout the 2018 season.

The team itself will be announced in just under 30 minutes' time, but before that I'll try to give you a flavour of who's in line. The runners and the riders to come.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

After 30 rounds of bruising, exhilarating, gruelling and thrilling rugby league, the best in Super League are recognised for their achievements by the selection of the Dream Team.

Journalists, experts and even I voted. Those selected are given their place in the annals of time.

Who will make the cut? Stick with me to find out.