Wigan's Brad O'Neill wins 2026 Man of Steel as Warriors sweep awards
Wigan Warriors hooker Brad O'Neill has won the 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award.
The prize goes to Super League's player of the season. O'Neill, the central forward who distributes the ball after each tackle, beat Wigan team-mate Adam Keighran and Leeds full-back Lachie Miller to the honour, BBC Sport.
It caps a huge year. O'Neill made 31 appearances in all competitions. He was also named Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association Player of the Year.
Team success drove it. Wigan won the Challenge Cup, rugby league's historic knockout competition, and the League Leaders' Shield for finishing top of the regular-season table. That double put their players at the front of every awards conversation.
Five Wigan players made the 10-player Man of Steel shortlist, Wigan Warriors. O'Neill and team-mate Jai Field were among the contenders examined in the shortlist show that aired on Monday night. The full shortlists for the men's and women's awards were announced on Tuesday, 29 September.
The women's prize stayed in Wigan too. Half-back Jenna Foubister won the Woman of Steel award. She plays half-back, the chief playmaking role, and had topped the latest Woman of Steel rankings before the final vote, Super League.
It was a clean sweep for the club. The three finalists were all Wigan players: Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Willams.
There was recognition for the coach behind it. Matt Peet was named Betfred Super League Coach of the Year after guiding Wigan to the Shield and Challenge Cup. Halifax Panthers' Rob Hawkins won the Wheels of Steel award.
What makes this stand out is the spread. One club took the men's top player, the women's top player and coach of the year. For fans, this means Wigan head into the play-offs as the team everyone has to beat.
