Bevan French: Wigan Warriors stand-off wins 2023 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award
- Published
Since joining Wigan Warriors in 2019, Bevan French has won the League Leaders' Shield twice, as well as the Challenge Cup
Wigan Warriors back Bevan French has been named the 2023 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel.
The 27-year-old Australian, who was also named in the Super League Dream Team, is the first Wigan player to win the award since Sam Tomkins in 2012.
French will face Catalans' Tomkins in Saturday's Super League Grand Final.
Grand Final-winning hooker Sinead Peach has won the 2023 Woman of Steel, while Lewis King has taken the inaugural Wheels of Steel crown.
French beat St Helens full-back Jack Welsby and Catalans winger Tom Johnstone to the award - given to the Super League player of the season - having led Wigan to the Grand Final in a new stand-off role.
He was previously nominated in 2021, but lost out to full-back Tomkins.
Peach captained York Valkyrie to victory in the Women's Grand Final on Sunday, ending their wait for victory in the showpiece event.
She led the club to an unbeaten season in 2023, as they also won the League Leaders' Shield.
King, who came into the London Roosters' 2023 campaign off the back of England's Wheelchair World Cup win in 2022, is the first winner of the new Wheels of Steel prize.
Full list of awards
Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel - Bevan French (Wigan Warriors)
Woman of Steel - Sinead Peach (York Valkyrie)
Wheels of Steel - Lewis King (London Roosters)
Betfred Championship Player of the Year - Dean Parata (London Broncos) and Lachlan Walmsley (Halifax Panthers)
Betfred League One Player of the Year - Reiss Butterworth (Dewsbury Rams)
Betfred Super League Young Player of the Year - Josh Thewlis (Warrington Wolves)
Betfred Women's Super League Young Player of the Year - Caitlin Casey (Leeds Rhinos)
Betfred Wheelchair Super League Young Player of the Year - Josh Butler (Leeds Rhinos)
Betfred Championship Young Player of the Year - Bill Leyland (London Broncos)
Betfred League One Young Player of the Year - Ciaran Walker (Workington Town)
Betfred Super League Coach of the Year - Adrian Lam (Leigh Leopards)
Betfred Women's Super League Coach of the Year - Lindsay Anfield (York Valkyrie)
Betfred Wheelchair Super League Coach of the Year - Tom Coyd MBE (London Roosters)
Betfred Championship Coach of the Year - Mike Eccles (London Broncos)
Betfred League One Coach of the Year - Liam Finn (Dewsbury Rams)
Foundation of the Year - Barrow Raiders (with commendations for Leigh Leopards and York RLFC)
Glen's Spirit of Super League Award - The Burrow Family