Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 8:25 am  

Hardaker is undoubtedly an incredible player; one of the best playing right now. But, there is speculation over whether he should even be playing right now, let alone being selected to win the most prestigious individual award in our game.

Thoughts?

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 8:49 am  

He has been the best player..... i have no doubts he should have been given it.

Rugby players arent saints.. They never have been and i hope they never are. A few off the field misdemeanors is no big deal.

For me is is now above Sam Tomkins at FB... infact if you offered me one of them i would take Hardaker.

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 9:11 am  

Wire wrote:

Hardaker is undoubtedly an incredible player; one of the best playing right now. But, there is speculation over whether he should even be playing right now, let alone being selected to win the most prestigious individual award in our game.

Thoughts?

Why shouldn't he be playing? He's had his punishment and is playing superbly. What are your thoughts?

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 9:25 am  

I have to think back to players I've known in the past. If you banned everyone who had punched a student you'd be searching round for a team. It was almost compulsory to gain selection.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:53 am  

i'd say its a fair call, he's been unplayable for most of this season.

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 11:21 am  

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:

i'd say its a fair call, he's been unplayable for most of this season.

He has? He's had spells, but he's playing fullback for Leeds and has only scored 10 tries. He's only made 22 breaks. Superb player, but the best in SL this season? I'm not at all convinced he's been better than Cuthbertson to be honest. He's the main catalyst behind Leeds being where they are now.

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:00 pm  

Just been looking through the roll-call of previous Man Of Steel Winners, I never realised that Ken Kelly won in '81.

2014 - Daryl Clark, Castleford Tigers
2013 - Danny Brough, Huddersfield Giants
2012 - Sam Tomkins, Wigan Warriors
2011 - Rangi Chase, Castleford Tigers
2010 - Pat Richards, Wigan Warriors
2009 - Brett Hodgson, Huddersfield Giants
2008 - James Graham, St Helens
2007 - James Roby, St Helens
2006 - Paul Wellens, St Helens
2005 - Jamie Lyon, St Helens
2004 - Andrew Farrell, Wigan Warriors
2003 - Jamie Peacock, Bradford Bulls
2002 - Paul Sculthorpe, St Helens
2001 - Paul Sculthorpe, St Helens
2000 - Sean Long, St Helens
1999 - Adrian Vowles, Castleford Tigers
1998 - Iestyn Harris, Leeds Rhinos
1997 - James Lowes, Bradford Bulls
1996 - Andrew Farrell, Wigan Warriors
1995 - Denis Betts, Wigan
1994 - Jonathan Davies, Warrington
1993 - Andy Platt, Wigan
1992 - Dean Bell, Wigan
1991 - Garry Schofield, Leeds
1990 - Shaun Edwards, Wigan
1989 - Ellery Hanley, Wigan
1988 - Martin Offiah, Widnes
1987 - Ellery Hanley, Wigan
1986 - Gavin Miller, Hull Kingston Rovers
1985 - Ellery Hanley, Bradford Northern
1984 - Joe Lydon, Widnes
1983 - Allan Agar, Featherstone Rovers
1982 - Mick Morgan, Carlisle
1981 - Ken Kelly, Warrington
1980 - George Fairburn, Wigan
1979 - Doug Laughton, Widnes
1978 - George Nicholls, St Helens
1977 - David Ward, Leeds

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:08 pm  

Is it telling that since they changed the voting system, no non-Yorkshire player has won it? Small sample I know, but the Yorkshire press are like the Mafia. Their Dream Team nominations are always a farce and I'll bet it'll be very difficult for anyone from outside to win it now.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 12:16 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

He has? He's had spells, but he's playing fullback for Leeds and has only scored 10 tries. He's only made 22 breaks. Superb player, but the best in SL this season? I'm not at all convinced he's been better than Cuthbertson to be honest. He's the main catalyst behind Leeds being where they are now.

yeah he has, his kick returns have been punishing, he's third in tackle busts, and what you can't quantify is the amount of quick ptbs this has lead to which in turn has allowed the likes of cuthbertson, decent ball and decent runs.


For all his offloading this year, going into games against leeds i haven't been particularly bothered about cuthbertson, hardaker i have been concerned over, Walmsley is walmsley.

Re: Man of Steel : Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:14 pm  

Hardaker was definitely behind Cuthbertson and would've been behind Walmsley if Saints had been any good.