This is now Luke Gale.
Gale now on 40 try assists too (compared to 20 from Sneyd).

Solomona now has a record of 37 tries in a season. With such a massive number of tries, many of them spectacular, has any player made a bigger impact on the league this season?

Luke Gale now has 44 try assists (the next best is Sandow on 25) and is still the leading goal-kicker.

eh? What did the man of steel trophy used to stand for? Its always been for the standout player of the year hasn't it?

The RFL simply describe it as the award for "player of the year".
Due to the name of the award, I think some have the impression it goes to the toughest player of the year. However, that's not the case. It goes to the best player of the year.

I've always thought the Man of Steel award should go to a forward. Backs get plenty of chances for glory the rest of the year. Also I'll admit I am massively biased.

Danny Houghton would be my choice if I had one.

Does anyone know how the MOS is selected now? I think a shortlist is drawn up and then the players vote but that may have changed.

I'd like to see each club have an internal vote to determine their player of the year then that list of 12 players is then voted upon by all clubs with the restriction that you can't vote for the club from your player. MOS would then truly be chosen by the players themselves.

Kept their team out of the middle 8's I guess

Quite possibly.
Though it is interesting to note that in the three games Solomona missed our replacement left-wingers scored 9 tries.
The combination between Gale and Dorn this year has been the main reason our left edge has been so prolific (though Solomona has scored some fantastic individual efforts too).
It also has to be pointed out that our halves and backs can only perform if they are at the right end of the field. The likes of Springer, Millington, Holmes, Moors, McMeekan, Patrick and Lynch have been instrumental in this too.

Can anyone remember the last time Chris Hill had a bad game? For that matter, anyone remember when he last had an ordinary game? Without Hill the current Wire side wouldn't be top of the league, they probably wouldn't even be top four. Loads of very valid arguments for several players, but surprised that the best prop in Super League is barely getting a mention.

IIRC all Super League players get a vote from which a shortlist of three is made. The final decision comes from a five man panel including a former winner, a current player and representatives from the print and broadcast media.

He'd my in my top 3.
1. Houghton.
2. Gale.
3. Hill.

Chris Hill is a victim of his own ability. He is a top class consistant performer, I've never seem him have worse than a very good game. As a result that level of performance it's expected and not noticed as much. Houghton for example has been a decent player for several years who has upped his performances this year, as such has been noticed more.

Having an 80 metre pitch helps get you in good field positions

Only for half our games!
We seemed to gain good field position on your full-sized pitch both times we have played there this year, so it can't be all about our postage-stamp.