Castleford Tigers' former Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity ace Paul McShane named Man of Steel

The former Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity player came out on top from a shortlist also including Wigan Warriors full-back Bevan French and second-rower Liam Farrell, St Helens full-back Lachlan Coote and half-back Aidan Sezer of Huddersfield Giants.

McShane is the fifth Tigers player to win the award, after Adrian Vowles, Rangi Chase, Daryl Clark and Luke Gale.

He said: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet and seems surreal, I am honoured that legends of our game think I’m worthy of this award.

“If it wasn’t for my teammates I wouldn’t have been near.

"At the end of the day I go out and play rugby for them, I want to do my best for them and for those guys wanting me to do well it means a lot."

McShane scooped the prize despite Tigers finishing eighth in the Super League table.

“There have been some tough periods throughout the year with results not going our way, but the lads have been turning up and trying their hardest and they have helped me win this award," he added.

“I just hate losing, I want to be the best at everything I do and if that’s playing rugby, or lifting weights or even playing cards, I want to win and I’m driven to be better and I think that is something that really ignited in me when I joined Castleford.

“I didn’t know where I might end up before joining Cas, if I was going to go part-time or what, but joining the club gave me a hunger to want to be the best that I can be and make the most of it.

"Going forward I need to make the most of it and make sure I am doing everything I can to achieve what I want to achieve.”

McShane paid tribute to Tigers boss Daryl Powell.

He said: “Daryl has played a massive part in where I’m at as a player, five years ago he got me back to enjoying my rugby again.

“From when I first joined, he gave me plenty of confidence in my ability, told me he sees things in me and said I’ve always got more room to develop and become a better player.

"Even after my best seasons he still said to me that he sees 10 or 20 per cent more improvement and he’s always pushed me to strive for international honours.

"He has just been an honest coach and friend.”

Powell said: “Paul has had an incredible season and has been fantastic for us for a number of years, so this is a massive pat on the back for how he has grown as a player since joining Castleford.

"It’s the ultimate accolade so this is fantastic for him.

“One thing we said as a group was that we wanted to support Macca in winning this, I think it is a collective effort as well as it being an amazing achievement for him as an individual player.

“He has matured off the field since he’s been at the club and his leadership continues to grow all the time.

"As a player, he is one of the best nines in the game bar none and his all-round game is fantastic.

"He’s a champion player and we’re glad to have him.”

The nominees were the top five on the Man of Steel standings, but the final decision went to the award's chairman Ellery Hanley.

He said: “The award deservedly goes to Paul McShane because he performs in every game he plays in.

“He is Mr Dependable and everyone holds him in the highest regard.

"As a player, he consistently displays bravery, skill and athleticism.

"This is a man who wears his badge of honour in every action he delivers on the rugby league field.

“The phrase ‘actions speak louder than words’ fits Paul McShane perfectly.

"You only have to be in his company for three minutes to discover what a gentleman and first-class human being he is.

"We are so lucky to have him in our game.”

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