Lewis, Dufty and Sneyd nominated for Man of Steel

Split image of Hull KR's Mikey Lewis, Warrington's Matt Dufty and Salford's Marc SneydImage source, SWPix
Image caption,

Mikey Lewis (left), Matt Dufty (centre) and Marc Sneyd (right) were all named as part of this season's Super League Dream Team

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Hull KR's Mikey Lewis, Warrington Wolves' Matt Dufty and Salford Red Devils' Marc Sneyd have been nominated for the 2024 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award.

The trio are nominated having helped their respective sides reach this season's Super League play-offs and all three were also named in the 2024 Super League Dream Team.

England half-back Lewis, 23, helped Hull KR to second position in the table during a transformative season for the Robins.

Full-back Dufty, 28, was part of the Warrington team that reached the Challenge Cup final and is into the Super League play-off semi-finals, while Sneyd, 33, has scored 97 goals - more than any other player in the league this term.

The three players were shortlisted from a process where, through the season, players receive points per game on a voting system by a panel of former players.

The award, which was named after the late Steve Prescott in 2014, has been running since 1977 when Leeds hooker David Ward received the inaugural trophy.

The Man of Steel crown, as well as the Woman of Steel and Wheels of Steel prizes, will be presented on Tuesday, 8 October at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Lewis and Dufty will face off in Friday's first Super League play-off semi-final when Hull KR host Warrington, while Sneyd's play-off campaign came to an end when his Salford side were defeated by neighbours Leigh in the first play-off eliminator.

Lewis's nomination comes amid a career trajectory which also saw him make his England debut in 2023 against Tonga.

He has scored 19 tries this term, meaning he is third in the Super League try-scoring charts, and has also kicked 70 goals for Rovers.

Should he win the award, he will be the first Hull KR player to be named Man of Steel since Gavin Miller in 1986.

Dufty is named having averaged more than 192 metres of running per match and, should he win the top prize, he will be the first Warrington winner since Jonathan Davies in 1994.

Salford have plenty of pedigree with regards to Man of Steel winners in the recent past, with two Australian half-backs in Jackson Hastings in 2019 and Brodie Croft in 2022 winning the award.

Sneyd's tally of 22 try assists was only beaten by Lewis and Leigh's talismanic half-back Lachlan Lam in 2024.

Prior to joining Salford, Sneyd twice won the Lance Todd Trophy as player of the match in Hull FC's Challenge Cup final victories in 2016 and 2017.

New Woman of Steel to be named in 2024

Image source, SWPix
Image caption,

St Helens' Faye Gaskin is set to retire from rugby league following the end of the 2024 season

A new winner of the Woman of Steel prize will be crowned in 2024, with all three contenders receiving their first nominations for the award.

St Helens scrum-half Faye Gaskin, 32, is recognised having helped her side win the Challenge Cup this season.

York Valkyrie's Georgie Hetherington, 27, is shortlisted after a standout season which has seen her side set up a Women's Super League Grand Final against Saints.

Leeds Rhinos regular Lucy Murray, 21, also receives a nomination off the back of winning the club's Women's Player of the Year award.

Barrow Raiders boss Amanda Wilkinson and Wigan Warriors head coach Denis Betts have both been shortlisted for the Coach of the Year award.

Meanwhile, five players have been nominated for the Wheels of Steel award after a competitive season.

League leaders Leeds Rhinos have three nominees, with Tom Halliwell, Nathan Collins and Josh Butler all making the shortlist.

London Roosters' Joe Coyd and Halifax Panthers' Jeremy Bourson round out the nominations.