Liam Farrell for Man of Steel, even if he does play for Wigan Warriors – Dave Craven

Before we start, this column is not going to be me arguing why I think Bradford Bulls – one of the sport’s oldest clubs – should win the bid to replace Toronto Wolfpack in Super League next season.

Far from it, in fact. As much as the ‘criteria’ put in place to determine which Championship club does come up seems to be set handily in Bradford’s favour, I’d say London Broncos, Toulouse Olympique, York City Knights and Featherstone Rovers should all be ahead of them in that race.

Rugby league being rugby league, though, it would be no surprise to see Bradford back in Super League next season. If so, it’s about time the ‘Super’ really was dropped.

No, this column is intended to laud not just foot-shooting but another traditional rugby league characteristic: good old-fashioned hard graft.

It is with that in mind I fancy Wigan Warriors’ Liam Farrell as the next Steve Prescott Man of Steel winner.

The tough second-row is not a flashy operator, or a try-scoring extraordinaire but simply very, very good at his job on a consistent basis.

He runs such good lines and with such regularity and power; Farrell is essentially as dangerous as any centre and his link with Jackson Hastings on Wigan’s left-edge is one of the main reasons they have reached a record-equalling 11th Grand Final.

It is hard to comprehend that he has only recently turned 30; Farrell seems to have been around for years yet is clearly getting better with age.

The Wiganer won the last of his ten England caps in 2016, then coach Wayne Bennett opting for the likes of Warriors colleague John Bateman and NRL-based Elliott Whitehead as well as Warrington Wolves’ Ben Currie for the bulk of his time in charge.

However, anyone who thinks his international days are over should think again.

In this sort of form for the League Leaders and with Shaun Wane – who did so much to help progress Farrell in his formative Wigan days – now in charge of the national side it would be no surprise to see him back in the mix for the 2021 World Cup.

Statistics alone rarely tell the full story: the brilliant Bevan French tops the competition error count with 32.

But Super League’s numbers this year clearly give a good version of Farrell who is in the running with Wigan team-mate French, St Helens full-back Lachlan Coote, Huddersfield Giants captain Aidan Sezer and Castleford Tigers hooker Paul McShane for the Man of Steel on Monday night.

His 288 carries are second only to Hastings, his 2,384m second only to Leeds Rhinos winger Ash Handley while it is only backs again – French, Handley and St Helens flier Regan Grace – who have made more than his 19 clean breaks. Moreover, Farrell’s 69 tackle busts are bettered only by Warrington centre Toby King, Saints prop Alex Walmsley and – out in front with 101 - the exciting full-back French.

Yet Farrell is also third in the tackle count with 676 and is admired by so many, just the sort of fearless, relentless and reliable performer that epitomises what Man of Steel should be all about.

Admittedly, Australian French has brought such dazzle to the competition, much like Ben Barba did with Saints in 2018 when winning the award given to Super League’s best player, and he is a pure joy to watch.

He claimed the Rugby League Writers’ and Broadcasters’ Association player of the year yesterday and is tipped by many to complete a double on Monday.

Coote, a fellow countryman and fellow full-back, is a different sort of No1 with Saints where his perfect passing rather than blistering pace creates so many of their try-scoring opportunities.

Sezer and McShane, both playing with clubs who failed to make the play-offs, are in the running because they both excelled at times this year.

Farrell, though, ten years on from his Wigan debut, can hope to complete his renaissance.

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