Dave Craven: Chase is on to be crowned Man of Steel for Castleford stand-off

It has been a golden vintage with a decent number of individuals lighting up the competition in one way or another and the obvious name on everyone’s lips is Rangi Chase.

Each week it seems an opposing coach will highlight pre-match the class and skill he possesses as the main danger to his side and, invariably, each week in the post-match press conference Castleford chief Terry Matterson is moved to talk about the gifted stand-off yet again.

He has had a dominant effect both on the Tigers and the competition and on a consistent basis, the very essence of what Man of Steel is all about.

Chase’s ability to unlock defences with his veritable flair and invention has left coaches and opponents scratching their heads utterly bemused while eager supporters expect something to happen whenever he touches the ball akin to Sam Tomkins at Wigan.

Here is another exciting player who will presumably win plenty of votes from his peers given another vintage season from the maverick full-back so the recipient may come from the Warriors for a second successive year following Pat Richards’s award.

But equally so there has been a clamour for Sean O’Loughlin whose commanding presence at the heart of the champions’ performances has somehow grown even bigger since he lifted the Super League trophy last autumn.

In the literal sense of the award, the authoritative loose forward is as steely as they come with the added scope to control the pace of Wigan’s play.

There were no arguments recently when Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown ruled O’Loughlin the finest British player currently operating, better than Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess, just a sudden sense of knowing realisation.

Veteran stand-off Lee Briers continues to appeal with his boyish enthusiasm and zeal at Warrington where his influence could easily see the Wire secure a league and cup double.

Super League will certainly be a duller place when the veteran schemer finally calls it a day and it would be fitting if he did earn the most prestigious individual award for his long-term impact.

Veteran Steve Menzies is another who could come into contention.

Doing what he does at the age of 37 continues to defy belief with the esteemed Australian proving one of the signings of the season after Bradford foolishly let him depart for Catalan.

James Roby is a previous winner and St Helens fans will be quick to press his claims.

The admission of Royce Simmons – someone who knows a thing or two about the hooking role – that he never realised just how good the England international was until he took over at Saints is ample proof of his quality as is being bracketed in the same class as Cameron Smith.

In a year where everyone thought the Merseyside club would struggle to adapt without the retired Keiron Cunningham, Roby has simply grown again to deliver remarkably consistent and high-quality displays, often ignoring modern convention by playing the entire 80 minutes.

Danny Brough has managed to rid himself of his mercurial status to enjoy his finest season to date at the hub of Huddersfield’s control centre, maturing into a crucial operator for them.

For his unstinting effort – on and off the pitch – in a struggling side, the relentless back-row Glenn Morrison has been terrific value at Wakefield Trinity.

But, for me, you can look no further than Chase whose brilliance Castleford will hope can take them all the way to Wembley.

He has managed to flummox defences all season and for the sheer thrill factor he brings, the little Kiwi would be a worthy winner.