The Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker has been named the 2015 Man of Steel, becoming the first player from the club to win the award since Iestyn Harris 17 years ago.
Hardaker, who has enjoyed the best season of his career and is widely expected to be named as England’s full-back for the Test series against New Zealand, saw off competition from his Leeds team-mate Adam Cuthbertson and the St Helens forward Alex Walmsley. Hardaker is only the fourth Leeds winner in the 38-year history of the award, created to honour the outstanding player in the British game over the last 12 months.
The 23-year-old, who was named Super League’s young player of the year in 2012, has been at the heart of Leeds’ quest to win the treble, a feat they will complete on Saturday if they add the Super League title to their League Leaders’ Shield and Challenge Cup by beating Wigan at Old Trafford.
Hardaker secured the award following a two-part selection process incorporating a ballot of every Super League player before the final decision was made by specially convened five-man selection panel.
Hardaker’s success was part of a double triumph for Leeds on the night, after the Rhinos coach, Brian McDermott, preparing for a third Grand Final in five years, was named Super League’s coach of the year. The award, which is voted for by Super League coaches, comes as McDermott prepares to lead Leeds into a third Grand Final in only five years in charge of the club on Saturday, with Leeds set to become only the third team in Super League history to complete a domestic treble.
The Wigan half-back George Williams was named the 2015 Young Player of the Year, beating his Warriors team-mate Joe Burgess and the Warrington forward Ben Currie to the award. Williams, who inherited the club’s No6 shirt for 2015 after the departure of Blake Green to the NRL, has formed an impressive partnership with Matty Smith in the club’s half-back department and is another tipped for international honours when Steve McNamara names his 24-man squad on Sunday.
The retiring Leeds trio of captain Kevin Sinfield and forwards Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai were also among 10 Super League players to receive outstanding contribution awards to mark their long service to the sport.
Hit man Danny Houghton (Hull FC), 1,359 tackles; Top metre maker Alex Walmsley (St Helens), 4,092; Top try-scorer Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield), 27 tries; Top Gun Kevin Sinfield (Leeds), 85.37%; Outstanding Contribution Garreth Carvell, Ade Gardner, Lee Gilmour, Wayne Godwin, Kylie Leuluai, Adrian Morley, Jamie Peacock, Kevin Sinfield, Chev Walker, Paul Wellens; Foundation of the Year Warrington; Super League Club of the Year Leeds; Super League Young Player of the Year George Williams (Wigan); Super League coach of the year Brian McDermott (Leeds); Man of Steel Zak Hardaker (Leeds)
