Leeds Rhinos' future is looking great insists award-winner Myler

Myler received the Grosvenor Casinos award, decided by the coaching staff, at the club’s presentation evening.

Veteran forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan, at 38 the second-oldest player in Super League, was runner-up, with winger Tom Briscoe third.

Myler joined Rhinos a year ago from Catalans Dragons.

The half-back described winning the award as “humbling” and insisted Rhinos are on track for a better season in 2019 after dropping into the middle-eights this year.

“It hasn’t been the year we all wanted, but we are going in the right direction which is the main thing,” he said.

“The players we’ve got in this squad, give them the opportunity to shine and they will.

“We will come through, the future’s great - we have just got to keep going.”

Myler has scored 10 tries, six goals and a drop goal in 30 appearances this year and Rhinos director of rugby Kevin Sinfield praised his influence on the side.

He said: “Since I came back to the club Richie has grabbed hold of the team - and the staff have told me how well he’s played all year.

“He has had a real influence, he gives us direction and puts on tries for other people through passes and kicks.”

Despite a long spell recovering from a knee injury, only two players have completed more tackles for Rhinos this season than Jones-Buchanan and he has made more than 40 in a game on seven occasions.

Briscoe - who also won the Cravendale Fans’ player of the year award - is Rhinos’ leading try scorer with 17 in 32 games.

Sinfield added: “I feel so much more comfortable when Jonesy is on the field and Tom has been a stand-out for us since I arrived back at the club.

“It’s a few years since he played international rugby and he’s knocking on that door again.”

Full-back Jack Walker, who is a doubt for the game against Toronto with a head knock, was named Yorkshire Evening Post Shooting Star, ahead of nominees Cameron Smith and Mikolaj Oledzki.

Hooker Corey Johnson received the Chris Sanderson Memorial trophy for academy player of the year.

Ryan Hall’s touchdown in the Super League round one win at Warrington Wolves in February was voted Leeds Building Society try of the season.

It was the fifth time Hall has won the award, which is voted for by guests at the presentation evening.

Head of analysis James Bletsoe was clubman of the year and Lois Forsell and Rhiannion Marshall shared the women’s team player of the year award.

There were also presentations to departing players Hall, who has signed for Sydney Roosters, Joel Moon - returning home to Australia - and Jimmy Keinhorst, as well as physio Andy Barker who is leaving the club to take up a new job with the FA.