Castleford's domination of Super League in 2017 is recognised by the shortlist for the prestigious Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.
Full-back Zak Hardaker, who could be in line to win the award for the second time in three years, is joined on the three-man list by team-mate Luke Gale and Hull stand-off Albert Kelly.
Hardaker, who was crowned Super League's best player in 2015 during his time at Leeds, has re-discovered some of the best form of his career in his first season with leaders Castleford.
Gale, currently out of action after undergoing an emergency appendix operation, recently broke the Castleford record for points in a season.
They are both in with a chance of becoming the fourth Castleford player to win the coveted award in the era of Super League - Adrian Vowles (1999), Rangi Chase (2011) and Daryl Clark (2014) were the Tigers' other recipients - but are facing competition from Kelly, who has revived his career following his cross-city switch from Hull KR to Hull FC.
Hardaker tweeted following his inclusion in the shortlist: "Wow, absolutely over the moon... Just shows how good us as a team have been! Privileged."
The winner of the award, deemed to have made the biggest impact on the season and decided by a poll of Super League players, will be announced at the Man of Steel dinner in Manchester on Tuesday, October 2.
Nominees for the Super League young player of the year are St Helens duo Morgan Knowles and Regan Grace and Wigan centre Oliver Gildart. Players must be under 21 at the start of the season to be considered for award.
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