Thursday 27 September 2018 22:55, UK
The three-man shortlist for the 2018 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award has been revealed and Betfred Super League's leading team, St Helens, boast two nominees alongside one representative from Wigan Warriors.
The most prestigious individual honour in Rugby League was renamed the Steve Prescott Man of Steel in 2014, in memory of the sport's hugely-respected player, former St Helens, Hull FC, Wakefield player Steve Prescott MBE.
Chosen by a poll of every Betfred Super League player, the award is presented to the individual deemed by his peers to have had the biggest impact in the Betfred Super League this season. St Helens' Ben Barba and James Roby are joined by John Bateman of Wigan Warriors in the shortlist.
The award will be presented at the event hosted in Manchester on Monday October 8. The evening will also feature several other awards, including Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, Foundation of the Year and Young Player of the Year.
St Helens full-back Barba joined the club in mid-2017 and has lit up Betfred Super League this year.
Currently top try scorer in the competition, Barba has been an integral part of St Helens' domination this season resulting in them lifting the League Leaders' Shield earlier this month and securing a semi-final spot.
Joining Barba is team-mate and 2007 Man of Steel, Roby. The 32-year-old hooker was made captain of the club ahead of the 2018 season and has been pivotal to their success on field this year, leading the team in their pursuit of a place in the Grand Final.
One of the best hookers in the competition, Roby also retained his place in the England Squad to take part in the historic Test match victory against New Zealand in Denver, Colorado.
Wigan Warriors' second row Bateman completes the three-man shortlist for 2018. Since joining the club in 2015, the 24-year-old has lifted the Super League, Challenge Cup and World Club Series trophy and is a vital element of the Warriors' attack and defence.
A versatile player, he performs equally in the centres as he does in the back row and his efforts this season have not gone unnoticed. Once again, Bateman was called up to the England squad to take on New Zealand in the mid-season international test in May and from 2019 he will join NRL outfit Canberra Raiders.
Nominees for the 2018 Betfred Super League Young Player of the Year are Castleford Tigers half-back Jacob Trueman, St Helens' Matthew Lees and Leeds Rhinos full-back Jack Walker.
Players must be under 21 years of age at the start of the season to be considered for the Young Player of the Year award.
Following the success of the Women's Super League this year, the Woman of Steel award will also be presented for the first time.
The nominees for the 2018 Woman of Steel award are Castleford Tigers duo Tara Jane-Stanley and Georgia Roche and Leeds Rhinos Captain Lois Forsell.
Woman of Steel is chosen by a poll of every Women's Super League player.
