Up close and personal with the Man of Steel contenders

It's the question that sparks a thousand arguments. Who will be this year's Steve Prescott Man of Steel? As usual, the standard is excellent, and it's going to be very difficult to pick a winner.

Given the fact Leeds have clinched two of the three trophies available so far, it's perhaps fitting that two of the three candidates come from Headingley. 

Adam Cuthbertson has been credited by some as single-handedly giving the Rhinos an extra dimension to the way they play. His powerful runs through the middle, combined with a love for off-loading in the tackle, have been the hallmark of many a Leeds win. 

"It's been great to get coached by someone like Brian McDermott, who really wants me to showcase all my talents, playing a live-by-the sword, die-by-the-sword type of game, just playing what I can see and enjoying my football."

The stats are impressive. By the end of the Super 8's, he ranked third in the number of carries with 527, and eighth in metre making, with 3238. As for off-loads, he's way out in front with 125. His nearest rival managed just 66. 

"I'm rubbish at off-loading in training to be honest! I don't overly practice it, because it's one of those things - if you put too much thought in to it, then you can overplay your hand. So I just try to get it in to the game, play what I see, and it's great that I'v got some players around me that are really good supporters of the ball."

Zak Hardaker won the Young Player of the year award back in 2012 - it's been steady development ever since. This season, he's not only come up with some terrific tries, but also been hugely effective as the last line of defence, with plenty of try-saving tackles. He's third in the rankings on metres made at 3758, third for tackle busts with 109, and is in the top 8 for both carries and clean-breaks. 

"I think it's down to the team's performance. The forwards have been playing really well all year, that enables us backs to play a better game. I'v felt throughout the year we've been the best team, as a result it's not that hard to play well among those players. When you've got the likes of Jamie Peacock, Adam Cuthbertson and Danny McGuire running the show and of course Kevin Sinfield, you just think wow! What a special team we've got!"

The final nominee comes from the club where Steve Prescott was revered - his home town team St Helens. They are no strangers to producing Man of Steel winners - James Roby, Paul Wellens and Sean Long - to name a few, while Paul Sculthorpe managed it two years running.    

Just four years ago, Alex Walmsley was playing for his local amateur side, Dewsbury Celtics. His transition to the professional game has been exemplary, and this season he has been outstanding going forward. He is Super League's top metre maker, with 4092. He's made the most carries, with 531, and is ranked second for tackle busts, with 119.

"At the start of the season, Keiron Cunningham put a lot of confidence in to me by saying I would be playing a lot more minutes this year, and be having a bigger role than I have done in the past. Once you've got the backing of the head coach, it pushes you forward, gets you on it even more. I'v had a good year, hopefully I will keep improving."

I'm proud to say that I became good friends with Steve Prescott. As well as being a very successful Rugby League player, the things he did to raise money for his foundation after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, were quite simply super-human. 

Being part of the presentation team that handed the Man of Steel trophy over to Darryl Clark last year, when it had just been named after the great man, was an extremely proud and emotional moment for me. 

I can honestly say that all three of this year's candidates embody Steve's incredible spirit, and would all be worthy recipients. I don't envy the panel that has to pick the winner!