Man of Steel: Round One
4 Feb 2020
The race for the Man of Steel is on!
In 2019, it was Jackson Hastings who won the award after beating off competition from the likes of Blake Austin and Lachlan Coote.
It is sure to be just as competitive in 2020, with a number of leading contenders earning points in the opening round of Super League.
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves
3 points: Bevan French
2 points: Liam Marshall
1 point: Matty Ashton
Unsurprisingly, Bevan French is awarded three points after an excellent performance on Thursday evening. The 24-year-old scored Wigan’s first try before unleashing a long pass to set-up Liam Marshall for the Warriors’ third and decisive score.
Liam Marshall collects two points after playing a major role in his sides 16-10 win, and Matty Ashton, who made his Warrington debut at the DW Stadium, receives one point after impressing in his first start.
St Helens v Salford Red Devils
3 points: Jonny Lomax
2 points: Alex Walmsley
1 point: Zeb Taia
With three assists in Saints’ 48-8 thrashing of Salford on Friday night, Jonny Lomax picks up three points from this match. Lomax justified his tag as one of this season’s favourites for the Man of Steel Award and, on this showing, he might take some stopping.
Alex Walmsley and Zeb Taia, both of whom crossed for tries at the Totally Wicked Stadium, are given two and one point respectively.
Welcome to a new season of the Lomax show ???
3 assists for @Saints1890 against Salford in a Man of the Match performance ?? #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/xRKG2d7Ij6
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 1, 2020
Hull KR v Wakefield Trinity
3 points: Ben Crooks
2 points: Matthew Storton
1 point: Adam Quinlan
Ben Crooks’ four-try effort in KR’s 30-12 triumph over Wakefield sees him rewarded with maximum points.
Matthew Storton, who joined Tony Smith’s side from Bradford ahead of the 2020 season, takes two points following a fantastic debut showing in a KR shirt. The final point goes to Adam Quinlan.
Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield Giants
3 points: Aidan Sezer
2 points: Kenny Edwards
1 point: Sam Kasiano
Aidan Sezer stole the show in his first game as a Giant with one try, two assists and 16 points. The performance underlines his credentials as a credible Man of Steel contender and three points represents the perfect start.
Kenny Edwards records two points after his exploits against his former club. Catalans’ Sam Kasiano takes the final point from the match.
Toronto Wolfpack v Castleford Tigers
3 points: Jake Trueman
2 points: Paul McShane
1 point: Hakim Miloudi
Jake Trueman produced a man-of-the-match display in Sunday’s opening round win for Castleford. That earnt him three points, while his teammate, Paul McShane gets two.
Hakim Miloudi was Toronto’s standout performer and ended the weekend with more metres than anyone else in Super League. His efforts see him collect the Wolfpack’s first ever Man of Steel point.
Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC
3 points: Andre Savelio
2 points: Ratu Naulago
1 point: Jamie Shaul
Hull FC dismantled Leeds at Headingley on Sunday so three of their players deservedly pick up Man of Steel points. Andre Savelio produced two sublime assists and receives three points.
For his two tries, Ratu Naulago gets two points after an afternoon of terrorising the Leeds defence and Jamie Shaul takes the final point of the weekend.
