“Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French names his choice for the 2024 Man of Steel as a cut above the rest.”
Reigning Man of Steel and Wigan Warriors star Bevan French is backing Hull KR man Mikey Lewis to take his crown this evening at the Rugby League awards night.
Lewis is one of three contenders for the main prize with the half-back being shortlisted alongside Salford Red Devils talisman Marc Sneyd and Warrington Wolves full-back Matt Dufty. All three players have had remarkable seasons with the stats showing that the trio are among the competition’s most dangerous with the ball in hand.
Of course, Lewis is the only one of the three still capable of winning a trophy this season, with the Robins set to face off against French’s Wigan on Saturday in the Grand Final and it seems he has a good chance of picking up the coveted individual award, too.
The gong recognises the most impressive player in Super League over the course of the campaign and for French, who many believe could feel hard done by to miss out on the opportunity to retain the honour he claimed last season, that player has been Lewis.
“I think Mikey, he’s probably been the most entertaining I think,” French told Serious About RL when asked about the 2024 contenders. “You know he always has the most skilful and exciting moments during the game but probably more consistent this year.
“It would be great for someone like him as well, little kids will be watching his highlight reels and stuff, if he wins it would be great for the sport. His highlight reels are crazy to watch when you see it, but consistently he’s been a step above.
He’s got a great amount of talent, he’s young, he’s fresh. He still got a long way to go in his career, it’s great to see him explode this season from what he was last year and hopefully he continues to grow.”
French, who has scored 22 Wigan Warriors tries this season, will be one of the players tasked with trying to negate the threat of Lewis at Old Trafford on Saturday night, with the Australian one of the few in Super League who possesses the star quality and talent to potentially outshine the Rovers man on the biggest stage.
Rugby League’s Awards Night will be held tonight at the Royal Armouries in Leeds with the Woman of Steel and Wheels of Steel awards also being handed out.
