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Man of Steel | Round 16 & Top Ten Contenders
10 Jul 2024
Round 16 is the final round where this year’s Man of Steel voting will be publicised.
Following this round, all votes will be hidden until the end of the 2024 Betfred Super League season where the winner will then be revealed…
Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants
It’s maximum points for Matt Dufty in Round 16 as he continues to light up the Super League in 2024. The fancy full-back produced four try assists, one try, and ran for the most metres out of any player in the round, with a staggering 254 in Warrington’s win over Huddersfield.
Joining him with two and one point(s) respectively, are team-mates and try-scorers Stefan Ratchford and Rodrick Tai.
3 points: Matt Dufty
2 points: Stefan Ratchford
1 point: Rodrick Tai
Highlights: Warrington keep Huddersfield scoreless in Round 16.
Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards
Bevan French wowed the audience on Friday his searing pace, and superb skill and ability. He came up with two trademark tries in Wigan’s derby win and earns three Man of Steel points as a result.
And it’s a clean sweep for the Warriors - Harry Smith also impressed and takes two points, as did Brad O’Neill and he collects one point.
3 points: Bevan French
2 points: Harry Smith
1 point: Brad O’Neill
Highlights: Battle of the Borough sees Wigan victorious.
St Helens v Castleford Tigers
It’s a trio of Tigers this week, with match-winner Rowan Milnes obtaining three points. Milnes kicked his team to victory with two back-to-back penalties, while Cain Robb and Muizz Mustapha produced incredible performances, as Castleford grinded out a historic win at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
3 points: Rowan Milnes
2 points: Cain Robb
1 point: Muizz Mustapha
Highlights: Tigers cause upset at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Leeds Rhinos v London Broncos
Brodie Croft came up with the clutch play on in Saturday’s game against London, as he kicked the Rhinos’ match-winning drop goal in golden-point extra time.
But the valiant efforts of London Broncos cannot go unnoticed – Josh Rourke was phenomenal on debut for the Broncos, scoring the opening try of the game. He collects one point, while his team-mate Oli Leyland bags a point.
3 points: Brodie Croft
2 points: Josh Rourke
1 point: Oli Leyland
Highlights: Drop goal drama in Leeds v London.
Catalans Dragons v Hull KR
More golden-point action unfolded in Saturday’s second game, with Catalans coming away with the spoils.
Player of the Match Julian Bousquet was outstanding in his side’s win and is awarded 3 points. Then, Tom Johnstone, who came up with a ‘Try of the Week’ contender takes one point.
Elliot Minchella of Hull KR has two points in Round 16.
3 points: Julian Bousquet
2 points: Elliot Minchella
1 point: Tom Johnstone
Highlights: Catalans edge out Hull KR in golden-point extra time.
Salford Red Devils v Hull FC
Ryan Brierley returned from injury with a bang and made a try-scoring comeback in Round 16. His star performance means he receives three points.
Hull duo Herman Ese'ese and Logan Moy also earn points - Ese'ese continued to put in a huge shift in Round 15 and Moy continued his stellar run in FC's first-team.
3 points: Ryan Brierley
2 points: Herman Ese’ese
1 point: Logan Moy
Highlights: Salford make it four wins on the spin against the Black & Whites.
Top Ten Contenders:
Here are the current top ten contenders for the Man of Steel Award after Round 16…
But remember, this could all be set to change in the remaining rounds!
Marc Sneyd (18 points)
Is there anything Marc Sneyd can’t do in 2024? The veteran half-back has been Salford’s mastermind in this year’s campaign, as the Red Devils find themselves sitting in fifth place and joint-second - and making a formidable charge for the Play-Offs.
Sneyd currently tops the charts in Super League with 18 try assists – and there have been some exquisite ones too. He has also kicked the most goals and made the most carries and shows no signs of slowing down!
His consistency has been remarkable in a Red Devils shirt, which probably explains being awarded the Player of the Match on multiple occasions throughout the season, as well as leading the way in Man of Steel and earning maximum points a staggering six times in 16 rounds.
Matt Dufty (18 points)
Maverick Matty Dufty is among the top ten contenders for this year’s Man of Steel Award, and has been awarded maximum points on four occasions.
Warrington’s Dufty has become renowned for his match-winning moments in 2024, which include the sensational results against Hull KR and Hull FC.
And who can forget his huge metre making displays – Dufty is Super League’s current top metre maker and the Wolves’ top try-scorer this season – can his continue this now into the business end?
Dufty delivered BIG last night ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 8, 2024
The match-winning try plus 2 assists from the @WarringtonRLFC full-back ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/Tr62CYDSfJ
Matt Moylan (17 points)
It may have taken Leigh’s star signing Matt Moylan a few months to find his feet in the Super League competition, but many may argue it was worth the wait, as a recently resurged Leopards look to hunt down a Play-Off place.
He has brought his speed, skill and the ability to organise the team, as well as a wealth of experience from the NRL, and it’s no secret that when Moylan is at his best, the Leopards are a force to be reckoned with.
Moylan has been awarded 3 points on three occasions and 2 points on four.
How good was Matt Moylan tonight, @LeighLeopardsRL fans? ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/wLsDBY4omA
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 26, 2024
Nene Macdonald (15 points)
Rampaging runs? Monstrous metres? Solid in defence? No problem for Nene Macdonald! The Salford superstar has been all-round phenomenal and racked up the most metres out of any Salford player this season – a whooping 2897 metres.
What a first year as a Red Devil!
Flying start ?
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 8, 2024
Nene Macdonald has hit the ground running at @SalfordDevils ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/vRgK1yrwxp
Mikey Lewis (14 points)
Magic Mikey Lewis is also in the top ten and rightly so. The Robins have been a joy to watch in 2024 with their majestic performances – especially on home soil, and Lewis has certainly played his part.
The other five contenders are: Leeds’ Brodie Croft (13 points), current Man of Steel and Wigan’s hot property Bevan French (12 points), and super Jack Welsby of St Helens and George Williams of Warrington are also in the top ten (both 11 points).
Hull KR’s Niall Evalds is then tenth with 10 points.
Who will be the 2024 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel?
Round 17 of the Betfred Super League next gets underway on Thursday night with Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos at the Halliwell Jones Stadium (K.O. 8pm), and all six games across the round will be broadcasted LIVE. Information regarding dates, venues and kick-off times can be found here.
There's still time to sign up to SuperLeague+ if you haven't already - with match passes, monthly passes and annual passes all available.
