Demetriou's contribution recognised but Richards and Wigan clean up

The likeable Australian, one of the game's most respected players, was presented with a special award at the Man of Steel dinner as he calls time on his Super League career. Demetriou, 34, was honoured for making a "significant and memorable contribution to the competition" having played such a pivotal role both on and off the park at Belle Vue since joining Wakefield in 2004.

The fiercely-competitive utility player came close to winning the Man of Steel himself three years later when he made the Super League Dream Team following a marvellous campaign with Wildcats having inspired their succesful fight against relegation the previous season.

He has made 225 Super League appearances, having initially featured with Widnes, but is now contemplating dropping down into the Championship or returning home.

Demetriou was in stellar company last night as Keiron Cunningham, the legendary

St Helens hooker who hopes to sign off his own career with another Grand Final win on Saturday, and Salford's durable Malcolm Alker were also acknowledged.

However, it was Wigan Warriors who dominated proceedings at the gala dinner in Manchester with a clean sweep of the annual awards.

Prolific winger Pat Richards, 28, saw off team-mate Sam Tomkins and Warrington captain Adrian Morley to take the coveted Man of Steel; the player deemed to have made the biggest impact on the Super League season by his peers.

The Dream Team debutant topped both the try-scoring and goal-kicking charts, helping Wigan finish top for the first time in 10 years with his impressive breaking ability and defensive prowess.

Michael Maguire took Coach of the Year, the fastidious Australian having guided Wigan to a first Grand Final since 2003 and the League Leaders Shield during his first season in charge.

Tomkins's disappointment at missing out on Man of Steel was assuaged when he retained his Young Player of the Year award at the expense of Hull KR's Liam Watts and St Helens' Johnny Lomax.

Wigan then completed a memorable evening by taking the Club of the Year trophy, the Warriors praised for not only 0their performances on the field but the manner in which it is run and the way it presents itself.

BBC commentator Ray French claimed the Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award which recognises individuals whose career in the game has consistently reflected the core values of the sport over an extended period of time.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports executive producer Neville Smith has been inducted onto the RFL Roll of Honour after 20 years of innovative service, transforming the way the sport is broadcast. Departing Leeds Rhinos assistant coach Willie Poching was presented with the Carnegie Community Champion award.

Hull FC centre Kirk Yeaman and Hull KR forward Liam Watts are the latest players to withdraw from England's train-on squad.

Yeaman's hopes of winning an England recall for the end-of-season Four Nations series have been dashed by a foot injury which forced him to miss Hull's Super League play-off defeat by Hull KR. Watts has failed to recover from a knee injury that sidelined him for Rovers' last two matches of the season.