Thursday 27 September 2018 23:13, UK
The nominees for the 2018 Steve Prescott Man of Steel, the inaugural Woman of Steel, and the Young Player of the Year have all been announced by the Rugby Football League.
St Helens' duo of Ben Barba and James Roby are joined by Wigan Warriors' John Bateman on the shortlist for the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.
A Woman of Steel award will be presented for the first time this year.
Tara-Jane Stanley and Georgia Roche, both from Castleford Tigers Women, and Leeds Rhinos captain Lois Forsell form the inaugural women's shortlist.
One of Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers), Jack Walker (Leeds Rhinos) and Matty Lees (St Helens) will be crowned the Young Player of the Year.
With the trio of shortlists confirmed, we would like to hear from you.
Which players do you think should take home the respective awards from the Steve Prescott Man of Steel awards evening on Monday, October 8?
Vote below and once you have cast your votes, read the thoughts of former back-to-back Man of Steel Paul Sculthorpe MBE and Sky Sports' Barrie McDermott about the shortlist.
Shortly after the three-man shortlist for the 2018 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award was revealed, Sculthorpe and McDermott shared their reactions.
Sculthorpe, winner of the award in 2001 and 2002, praised the trio of nominees before highlighting the one that he believes will be crowned the 2018 Steve Prescott Man of Steel.
"First of all, three fantastic nominees, three worthy nominees and they've all had outstanding seasons," said the 41-year-old to Sky Sports. "Who do I think will win it? I think Ben Barba.
"The razzmatazz that's he's brought to Super League and what he's done this year. He had a bit of a rough spell in the past couple of months.
"Justin [Holbrook] has come out and said that he was carrying a couple of niggly injuries and no doubt the uncertainly about his future and whether he was going to stay at St Helens or not, has probably played on his mind as well. But, he's had an outstanding season."
Sculthorpe continued and shared his personal choice to take home the spoils, a man that he knows well.
"For me, my favourite would be James Roby. Just what James brings, week in and week out, year in and year out," he noted.
"I had the pleasure to play with James and he's just a phenomenal player in attack and in defence. He leads from the front. He's not a captain who says a lot, he leads with his performances."
McDermott noted one individual that he believed was unlucky to miss out on being in the shortlist.
"The one that stands out for me is Paul McShane," he said. "Week in and week out he's been the leader of his side, especially when you think that Luke Gale, the reigning Man of Steel, hasn't been available.
"So, he's had to take that leadership role. He's had to steer and guide his team around the field as well as getting through that defensive work - he puts upwards of 40/50 tackles in each week. I think McShane can count himself unlucky."
For McDermott, though, his tip to win the award differs to Sculthorpe.
"I wouldn't argue if Roby got it because I think for at least a decade, if not 12 years has been eight, nine and ten out of ten each week that he plays for St Helens," said McDermott.
"But I think John Bateman is as good a shout as any. If you were to ask me who my favourite is, I would say John Bateman.
"He's played out of position, he's played in the centre, at loose forward and of course he's more accustomed to being a back rower.
"He's done that with great effect for Wigan but also what he's done in terms of being a leadership, in an emotional year for Wigan, he's just churned out great performances.
"He's done the rough stuff, he's done the tough stuff but he's got some skill as well."
