Castleford Tigers' Paul McShane is a true Man of Steel

The Castleford Tigers hooker was not one of the favourites when a five-strong shortlist was announced last week, despite being second on the Man of Steel leaderboard at the end of the regular season.

Tigers finished eighth in Betfred Super League, winning just twice after lockdown ended and Wigan full-back Bevan French and second-rower Liam Farrell looked more likely to take the competition’s most prestigious individual honour.

French was probably Super League’s best player this year, having played a major role in Wigan winning the league leaders’ shield and reaching Friday’s Grand Final.

He is a brilliant talent, but McShane got the nod because - as selection panel chairman Ellery Hanley, who made the final decision, said - “he performs in every game he plays in”.

McShane, who also saw off competition from St Helens’ Lachlan Coote and Aidan Sezer of Huddersfield Giants, is everything a Man of Steel should be: consistent, durable and tough, he leads by his actions and has had an outstanding individual season, even in a team which struggled over the second part of the year.

McShane has overcome the odds to get to this position, having been shown the door by home city club Leeds Rhinos and failing to make much of an impression during a spell with Wakefield Trinity.

He was close to giving up on full-time rugby, but a move to Castleford in 2015 was the making of him and coach Daryl Powell has brought out his best form.

McShane’s award is as much recognition for Powell as the player himself. He is the third Tigers man to win the trophy since Powell took charge in 2013 and their fifth overall, all during the Super League era.

That is a remarkable achievement for a club who have won only one league leaders’ shield in that time and been relegated twice.

All that said, critics will argue the system of awarding points after every game makes it harder for players in a top side to be recognised so perhaps it is time for a separate ‘entertainer of the year’ honour for players like French.

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