Phil Clarke looks at the Man of Steel contenders

During a recent twitter Q&A, I was asked who I thought the contenders for the Man of Steel award were.

That is a question that is always up for debate and I felt needed a few more characters than the 140 allowed on Twitter.

With that in mind I have decided to look through the 12 Super League teams and give my verdict on who I think should be in the running from each team.

Agree or disagree? I'll be back on Twitter this Friday during the Wigan v Hull FC game, so let me know your thoughts then.

CASTLEFORD

It is hard to know who is the most important player for the Tigers; Michael Shenton or Andy Lynch? They have played only four games in the last three seasons without Shenton and lost all four! However, I think that Andy Lynch has been their best player in 2015 and it would be nice to see his team in the Top 4 for the effort he's put in.

CATALANS

It feels like the Dragons have under performed but a look at the league table shows that they've been a bit unlucky. They have some very good players, but their best in my eyes has been Elliott Whitehead. He must be a contender for the Dream Team and is pushing hard for a spot in the England back row.

HULL FC

I'm not sure if Danny Houghton is their best player this year, he's about as reliable as daylight, and every year we see what we have seen this year. Alternatively Mark Minichiello has proved to be a 'handful' for most teams who've tried to stop him charging forward. I'd like to know who the Hull fans think who their best player in 2015 has been.

HULL KR

I may have voted for Terry Campese if he had not injured himself after 15 games. It's possible that his presence may have taken his team up the steps as winners at Wembley and he might have led the team into the Top 8. In his absence, Albert Kelly has been their best player. He gets you excited when you go and watch him play and I think he might be even better next season.

HUDDERSFIELD

The Giants have been the most consistent team over the last three seasons (no team has won more Super League games than them) but they have failed to win a prize. Most people talk about Danny Brough as their best player but I think that their right winger Jermaine McGillvary has been their best in 2015. The competition for an England wing berth is tough, but he must have a chance.

LEEDS

Brian McDermott's team are the biggest improvers from 2014 and have two possible contenders for the Man of Steel award in my eyes. Zak Hardaker has been the best back line player in Super League, and when he doesn't play there are a lot easier to beat. However the players who has had the biggest impact on the season is Adam Cuthbertson. He's been central to the shift in attacking play that we've seen and wins my vote for Man of Steel.

SALFORD

From the outside the Red Devils look like a dysfunctional outfit. Dramas. Controversy and off-field issues seem to take up too much of their 'air-time' and most of their players have under performed. However, I've thought all season that Scott Taylor has tried to take his team forward and do his job.

ST HELENS

Alex Walmsley has already won Keiron Cunningham's vote as the best player in Super League and he almost won mine too. He is possibly the most improved player. He has worked on his defensive efforts this year and strikes fear into every team when he charges forward with the ball.

WAKEFIELD

It looks like the survival kit that they have in the dressing room at Wakefield has been successfully used again. One more win for them should see that they are back in the Super League next year. There is one player who I think they really need to thank for that and that is Danny Washbrook. He has given his all and gets my vote as their best this year.

WARRINGTON

The Wolves fans have had a disappointing year but their prop Chris Hill has been outstanding. If his team had been as good as he has been then I think more people would have pushed him as the Man of Steel. Ben Currie was brilliant for most of the season but he and his team mates need to ensure that when they return in 2016, they play to their potential.

WIDNES

The Vikings are another one of those teams who have three candidates. Kevin Brown has looked to be in a different class in some of the games he has played in, however he has only played in13 games. Alex Gerrard has progressed very well under Denis Betts but for me Joe Mellor is the Widnes player I would vote for.

WIGAN

Just like Leeds, Wigan have had several strong performers in 2015. I have really enjoyed watching Dominic Manfredi even though he has only played in just over half the games this season. Liam Farrell is very important to the Warriors but John Bateman has been their best player. He is that good that he can play in several positions and still look like the best.