The Man of Steel Race Heats Up as Super League Reaches Midpoint
As the Super League season passes the halfway mark, a clear picture of the leading contenders for the prestigious Man of Steel award is beginning to emerge. Liam Marshall currently sits atop the try-scoring charts with 11 tries, five more than his nearest challengers. Meanwhile, Niall Evalds has set up 16 tries, matching his Castleford Tigers teammate Mikey Lewis.
However, neither player currently leads the Man of Steel points tally. That honor belongs to Salford Red Devils’ Marc Sneyd, with Warrington Wolves’ Matt Moylan in second place and Lewis in third. Sneyd’s Salford teammate, Nene Macdonald, occupies fourth position, followed by Warrington’s Matt Dufty in fifth.
Legendary rugby league pundit Mike Stephenson, affectionately known as “Stevo,” has singled out Sneyd as his clear favorite for the end-of-season award. Speaking on the Eddie and Steve Podcast, Stevo praised the Salford playmaker’s exceptional kicking game as a key factor in his success.
“Well, I reckon he’s got to be a clear favourite, in regards to the way that he plays. Look, his kicking game is nothing short of superb. He knows how to turn a team around,” Stevo stated. “Instead of just opting for the high bomb all the time into the corners, he realizes that field position is important. So he does more grubber kicks than any other player in Super League and, in doing that, turns the team around. They have a defensive pattern that is difficult for the opposition to get out of their own quarter. Now that shows in your brains. It was, it was miles in front on that game because of his control in that match.”
As the race for the Man of Steel award heats up, Marc Sneyd’s tactical kicking prowess and ability to control the game have clearly impressed the seasoned rugby league expert, Stevo.
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