The 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel shortlist has been revealed, with Wigan Warriors duo Brad O'Neill and Adam Keighran nominated alongside Leeds Rhinos' Lachie Miller. A panel made up of five former Man of Steel winners—Ellery Hanley, Sam Tomkins, James Roby, Joe Lydon and Paul Sculthorpe—narrowed down the 12-player list into a final three after meeting three times across the season.p

Combative hooker O'Neill has already claimed the RLWBA Player of the Year award, helping Wigan to the League Leaders' Shield, the Challenge Cup and within 80 minutes of the Grand Final. Australian full-back Miller has been in the Man of Steel conversation since the opening weeks, leading all players with 166 tackle busts. Keighran finished the campaign with 16 tries and 107 goals, praised for his hard-hitting defence and partnership with Zach Eckersley.p

Reigning Man of Steel Jake Connor and Umyla Hanley—who made the top five twice—failed to secure a place in the final three.