BRAD O'NEILL NAMED 2026 SUPER LEAGUE MAN OF STEEL
Brad O'Neill has been named winner of the 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award, rugby league's leading individual prize in the Betfred Super League. The Wigan Warriors hooker received the honour for the first time, finishing ahead of Wigan team-mate Adam Keighran and Leeds Rhinos full-back Lachie Miller. O'Neill played a central role for Wigan this season as the club won the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders' Shield. He made 31 appearances for the Warriors across all competitions during the campaign. The England hooker was also named Player of the Year by the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association.
O'Neill was sin-binned during last year's Super League Grand Final following a tackle on Tyrone May, but helped guide Wigan to two trophies this season after the club finished 2025 without a title. Wigan head coach Matt Peet was named Betfred Super League Coach of the Year for leading the Warriors to the League Leaders' Shield and Challenge Cup double. The women's awards also favoured Wigan, with three of the club's players — Eva Hunter, Jenna Foubister and Megan Williams — shortlisted for the Woman of Steel prize. Foubister won the award, the second consecutive year that three Wigan players have featured on that shortlist. Denis Betts, Wigan's women's coach, was named Women's Super League Coach of the Year.
Wigan's women's team was beaten by York Valkyrie on Sunday, missing out on adding the Women's Super League title to the Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Crown it already held. Elsewhere, Halifax Panthers' Rob Hawkins won the Wheels of Steel award in the Wheelchair Super League, Martyn Gill of Edinburgh Giants was named that competition's Coach of the Year, and Max Owen of London Roosters took its Young Player prize. St Helens' Harry Robertson was named Super League Young Player of the Year. In the Championship, Gairo Voro of London Broncos won Player of the Year, Allan Coleman of Widnes Vikings was named Coach of the Year, and Sully Medforth of Midlands Hurricanes took the Young Player award.