Tomkins. But not seen much SL in the last few weeks.

Lynch wont get nominated but if he did it would be fully deserved. He's single handedly carried Hulls pack through a terrible spell of injuries.

Lynch is a hard worker but he doesn't have the same winning mentality as the top forwards IMO. That's the reason why he's been overlooked for international selection by the likes of Brian Noble, Tony Smith and Steve McNamara, two of whom had coached him at club level. You'd think they'd know if he was any good. He's more of a Brett Delaney than a Paul Gallen.

Tomkins should win it.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. The guy is a professional a player as you could hope to come across by all accounts. What exactly is he missing?

Lynch's strength is his consistency over the entire season. He makes good metres, defends well and does long minutes pretty much every game.
There are forwards who can make more metres, tackle busts and offloads than him in a particular game, which is why he's probably been overlooked for internationals, but few who can maintain the same level of consistency over an entire season IMO.

It's his proffesionalism and consistency that I think make him a good candidate for MOS.

Hep Cahill.

I realise players like him will get lost in the jizz ridden fuss over players from 'big' teams, but the man has been a machine from start to finish this season, an absolute MACHINE.

Wigan.

The avatar is the easter egg statue thingy on Tesco car park. Must admit I have a soft spot for Hull, mainly because of the 1985 final and how well their fans reacted after losing such a tremendous game.
Picked Lynch mainly because he's having another great season and imo is the most underrated prop in the game. Danny Houghton again imo, has also been very impressive.

Tomkins hasn't been as good as last year but he's still been the leagues best and more importantly most consistent player IMO.

Dureau started really well, Finch and Hock were immense until these last 4-6 weeks and other guys like Roby, Westwood and Briers have been excellent in spells but Tomkins has been pretty spot on from the start to date.

Another player I've not mentioned yet is Chris Hill. He should win any sort of rookie of the year award going about and he wouldn't be a million miles off my top three for man of steel.

hill is in an unfortunate place as altho he is new to super league he is too old for young player.

westwood has been immense all year and would get my vote as he is the definition of a man of steel along with hock.

as i have said previously there should be a few awards

man of steel - going to a forward
diamond boots - going to a back

i know the name of trophy for the back is naff but just an example

then young player of the year - cut off age 23
rookie of the year - player within first 2 seasons of sl

and your usual

golden boot - top try scorer

and throw in a few for the public to vote on

hit of the year - best legal tackle
try of the year - best try

and make a night of it give some big recognition for more players and the game

Had Wakefield not had so many changes and taken so much time to gel together then Tim Smith would have been a very lively outsider for me....he's been tremendous for a good couple of months now and is directing the form team in the competition around the field superbly.....I thought he was showing great signs from very early on, just the rest of the team weren't on his wavelength.....

Can't argue much with the two who seem to be being mentioned the most though....Tomkins and Westwood....with a very worthy mention for Chris Hill....

Tomkins.

He should get something just for beating up Scott Moore.

Tomkins has been very cleaverly rebranded by the Pies. Less mouth and cheating on the pitch and a supporting role on TV. Its just a pity he goes missing in big games unlike Westwood who plays at the same level of intensity every week.

Westwood.

Tomkins
Westwood
Roby

Westwood or Finch

Westwood
Tomkins
Dureau

in that order for me.

Westwood, the only British forward capable of playing in the NRL who isn't already there. Tomkins is still a great player and the best entertainer in SL but that for me isn't the essence of the MOS award.

The fact that Luke Burgess is playing there suggests there are quite a few British forwards who are more than 'capable'. Hock and Roby for starters...

Wakey reject.

do you watch NRL?

luke burgess has been ripping it up when hes played. IMHO he has played better than sam this year

Roby is the most consistent player in the league, easily, and his stats back that up.

For MoS, I would have:

1) Tomkins
2) Westwood
3) Roby

Not sure how anyone can argue otherwise really, they have been the best players this season.

I think the point he was trying to make is that if a player like Luke who wasn't rated particulary highly in this country (although I've always rated him) can go over there and do well a few others could.

Robys stats don't back anything up at all, he plays 80 minutes most weeks at Hooker, no wonder he stats are through the roof.

I would throw Gareth Hock into that as well, the aussies never liked playing against him for GB and i doubt they would now either.

James Roby could play in the NRL for sure imo but a hooker isnt really a proper forward in todays game!!

MoS lost all meaning when Pat Richards won it imo, scoring 15 walk ins and 15 from kicks does not constitute a MoS award even if you are a good kicker.

He could have won back of the year because of that but definitley not MoS imo!!

So do a lot of hookers. They still don't come anywhere near Roby's stats.

On the subject of forwards that could make it in the NRL... most of them could if they have the aggression and determination. The most underrated prop in the league for me is Carvell at Wire, always seems to drive it in with great speed and power.

Westwood.

I don't remember seeing much of Tomkins for the last few months, although now I think about it he did do a lot of whining at the ref when Wire tore them a new one a few weeks back.