Super League Man of Steel odds: St Helens star the one to beat

The 2024 Super League season is just around the corner, and it will soon be time for some of the best rugby league players in the world to compete over a long and gruelling season.

Wigan Warriors cleaned up last year domestically, winning the Grand Final at Old Trafford, while outside-back Bevan French won the Man of Steel award.

The trophy is given to the rugby league player of the year, and the event has been running since 1977.

Only one player has ever won the trophy three times, and 2023 winner Bevan French will have his work cut out to retain his trophy.

We take a look at the leading contenders for the 2024 award.

Man of Steel Award Odds

(Odds will display when markets are available)

Jack Welsby

Welsby is the joint favourite to win this year's award, and he will have every chance. The St Helens full-back is one of the best players in the world at his position, and he recently ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract until 2027.

Welsby, still only 22, was wanted by some of the best clubs in the NRL in Australia, but he has targeted more success with Paul Wellens' side.

He has already made 117 appearances for the club, scoring 53 tries, and after winning the Grand Final and World Club Challenge, Welsby is in a great spot to add to his legacy.

George Williams

Former Wigan Warriors half-back Williams will look to lead by example this season as he leads the new-look Warrington Wolves into battle.

Williams has been at the Wire since 2021, but at 29, he is now coming into the prime of his career, and he will play under former NRL star Sam Burgess this season.

Burgess will take charge of a Super League team for the first time, and he will rely heavily on Williams' talent in the middle of the park.

Bevan French

French lifted the trophy last year, and he would become only the second player in the award's history to win the event in successive campaigns.

Paul Sculthorpe lifted the trophy twice in two years, in 2001 and 2002, and while history says it will be tough, French is one of the best players in the competition.

He was switched from the wing to the halves in 2023, and that clearly brought the best out of him.

Brodie Croft

Like French, Croft is a previous winner of the award, and he got his hands on the trophy in 2022 with Salford.

The Australian decided to leave the Red Devils in the off-season, but he will now lead the Leeds Rhinos under Rohan Smith.

Leeds spent heavily to bring Croft and former Salford team-mate Andy Ackers to the club, and if he hits the ground running, Croft is in a great spot to try and win the award as Leeds attempt to rebuild after a difficult few years.

Jai Field

Wigan have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal, and coach Matty Peet will look to get the best out of French as well as Field.

Field's spell in Wigan has been nothing short of incredible, and he has 49 tries in just 59 appearances for the club.

A spell on the sidelines last season derailed his chances of winning the Man of Steel, but the 26-year-old is back and raring to go this time around.

Harry Smith

It would only be right to have another Wigan player who could win the award. After all, the club have had 12 winners of the trophy since its inception.

Half-back Smith should form a formidable partnership with French in the halves, and his performances last season earned him a call-up to Shaun Wane's England squad.

The 23-year-old has already won four trophies during his time with Wigan, and a personal gong may not be too far away.

Jonny Lomax

Lomax has big shoes to fill in 2024, as he has replaced St Helens legend James Roby as club captain.

The 34-year-old celebrated the promotion in January with a new contract that will run until 2026.

Lomax, who has never won the award in an illustrious career, has already won five Super League titles, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Challenge with the Red Vee.

Even at 34, he is still a master of his craft, and if he can handle the pressure of replacing Roby as skipper, he could be crowned Man of Steel within the next 12 months.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.