This is an award for being the best this season. Don't you think making excuses as to why he hasn't been, by definition, means you think he shouldn't have won it? It's like saying give it to Dom Manfredi as he could be the best in the comp if it weren't for injuries. That doesn't make any sense, Brian.

Perfectly put.

I'd also say that, for whatever and across most sports, I find club competitions more appealing than internationals. Give me a Wigan Vs Saints or a European semi final at Anfield over any international fixture (I'm not even a LFC fan either). The tribalism just seems a bit fake when you compare it - we're supposed to get stuck into the NZ rugby team, when I reality I'd rather cheer for guys like RTS or JWH Vs some of the players in England shirts.

I don’t understand this but each to their own I suppose. I was lucky enough to grow up watching Wigan win everything in the late 80’s early 90’s. when you’re in your teens that’s all you care about.

There’s only 1 thing i desperately want to see in RL now. A England/GB win in an ashes series or ideally a Wold Cup. I would happily trade several Wigan GF/CC wins for it.

Yet again, the Man of Steel Award has gone to a player who stands out in a poor team instead of a player who stands out in a good team.

Hardly surprising seeing that they were both born in Leeds.

Nowt like picking your own!

I don’t understand this either.

Some of my greatest memories growing up we’re going watching GB v Australia/NZ at a packed house. Some of the best days/nights out I’ve had as an adult are going to the same games. Wigan v Saints is good, no doubt but give me GB/England v Australia/NZ at a packed stadia any day.

Each to their own I suppose

I’ve watched a few highlights recently of old test matches vs the Aussies and it just brings the memories flooding back. The feel around those games are all like Grand Final nights for me, I absolutely love them. Mike Greg’s try down under, that Davies try at Wembley, Faz on fire at Old Trafford, The Mason/Peacock punch up and Raynor’s winner, Sculthorpe diving in to seal the game in Huddersfield, Morley getting sent off at the DW and on and on. The lack of games we’ve had against the Aussies over the past decade has been scandalous. Nothing could be done about this years series but I can’t wait for nights like those again.

Like you said, each to their own. We all like different things and international RL just doesn't do it for me.

This is exactly how i feel .

i went to my 1st ever game of RL at Central Park in 1982 - GB v Ozzies, and i still can recall that now stood on one of the brick walls on the entrance to the Sully Bar. I have had my hopes raised on so many occasions since it is untrue. We have had some fantastic players / teams in that time too, but none have been able to close out a series against the Ozzies

Agreed.

Yup, I've seen Wigan win trophies and I'm sure I'll see them winning trophies again. We often aren't even underdogs in that scenario. Winning a trophy ahead of the aussies would be a different prospect entirely.

I was lucky enough to be in Melbourne in 1992 for that victory over the Aussies (the famous Wigan six pack ) As an RL fan it stands alongside any win I've ever known.
I'm also lucky enough to have been alive to remember the ashes victories in 1959, 1962 and 1970, but before I go to that great Central Park in the Sky I want to do them at least once more.

I just hope Waney has enough good players at his disposal to give us a chance against them in the next couple of years. It feels like some of the quality has fallen away since that last World Cup. It was expected with Lockers and Graham but not so much with Sam Burgess and I fear we’ll miss him and the belief he can help instil in the other lads more than we could imagine.

You were alive to see the christians in the colosseum as well