Just looking at all the past winners. Quite incredible that Cas have won it 3 times since we last did in 1998. During which time they have won absolutely feck all. Even Hudds have won it twice during the same period. Not forgetting Saints 6 times.

Maybe it's because we have a lot of one club men who don't collect votes from pals as they move from club to club? Bizarre really.

Could be

Tbf I can understand in a way, I know people go on about Sinfield not winning but his story has been more about his career than a single season and stepping up in certain big games rather than week after week after week performances.

Thinking back to some of best performers of the year, Matt Diskin was very good in 2004 but didn't win. Perhaps because we were so dominate as a team that year it actually hinder him.

Cuthbertson definitely represents one of the best chances we've had for a player to win it since Harris. Looking back at past winners recently then it's usually a pivot position that wins it but I think the leading contenders surely this year have to be forwards (Walmsley another that springs to mind)

Sinfield was by far and away the best player, probably in World rugby, I think it was the year Farrell got it. He was also the best player the year Roby got it. Other than that I agree.

This year for example, I reckon we have had a lot of stand out performers. I think Liam Farrell said in his column this week that his 3 votes went to Watkins, Hardaker and Peacock. Cuthbertson not even mentioned. That's great that they are all Leeds players, but they may end up splitting the vote. Other clubs seem to have 1/2 obvious candidates.

Problem for Sinfield though is that often his performances can go under the radar (the little things he does) a bit compared to a Roby making a load of breaks from dummy half. That Cuthbertson represents the best chance of a forward getting it in a while.....and he's had to absolutely smash the offloading record by a mile to do it tells you the mindset when voting.

Sinfield should've won it in 2005, despite Jamie Lyon's exploits, and despite a hand injury which made him miss around 5 weeks of the season.
There were also about 5 Leeds players more deserving than Panface in 2004, too. But, they didn't play half a game with a broken nose so, they never stood a chance. Sinfield should've won it in 2009 as well, instead of Hodgson.

Quote: Gotcha "Sinfield was by far and away the best player, probably in World rugby, I think it was the year Farrell got it. He was also the best player the year Roby got it. Other than that I agree.'" Best player when Roby won it was between Roby and Barrett, i'd even say Barrett deserved it over Roby. This year it should be between Cuthbertson, Hardaker and Walmsley. Most people would agree on those 3 this year. Walmsley doesn't even get a mention on here. www.totalrl.com/cuthbertson-deem ... teel-2015/

Quote: Gotcha "Sinfield was by far and away the best player, probably in World rugby, I think it was the year Farrell got it. He was also the best player the year Roby got it. Other than that I agree.'" Best player when Roby won it was between Roby and Barrett, i'd even say Barrett deserved it over Roby. This year it should be between Cuthbertson, Hardaker and Walmsley. Most people would agree on those 3 this year. Walmsley doesn't even get a mention on here. www.totalrl.com/cuthbertson-deem ... teel-2015/

Hardaker I'm not sure on. Don't get me wrong he's had a very good year (Dream Team FB should be nailed on), but for most of the year most people on here would've had their Leeds top 3 as Cuthbertson/Ward/Aiton in some order. His 1st half of the season was good but not MOS good.

I don't know about that. Ward has had a very good season but I'd definitely have Cuthbertson/Hardaker/Aiton as my 1/2/3.

Well, imo if Cuthbertson doesn't win it by a margin this year there is something wrong.

In previous years, although you would have expected at least one winner during our glory period, you could still make a case for the actual winner.Not this year.

^^This.

I watch Cuthbertson and Hardaker every week but what I've seem of Walmsley this season, he's been immense.

That's the one I was probably thinking of rather than Roby, the year Hodgson got it.

With the possible exception ofl last Friday when Leeds have gone head to head with Saints this year it's been the dynamic running, offloading and organising of Cuthbertson that's stood out. Walmsley had minimal impact.
The extra dimension Cuthbertson offers sets him apart for me. Long time since we have seen a player do what he does.
If Leeds finish top of the pile and add to the CC win it will be another slap in the face if the award goes to any other club.

MoS since 2013 is decided based on a player's vote, which creates a shortlist.

That shortlist is reviewed by a five-man panel (two representatives from the players' union, two members of the media and a retired former MoS winner), who make the final decision.

So while having the respect of your peers as a player is essential to getting on the shortlist, the fact there's an ex-pro and two journos on the panel could still mean there's a winner comes out of left-field.

Given the minutes played, durability and impact this season, I'd expect Cuthbertson to at least make the shortlist. However, much like the Sky man of the match usually goes to a half or a hooker because of Stevo's obsession with those positions, that's no guarantee those not currently playing the game will have the same respect for his abilities.