By Nick Hext with Ian Millward
Grand Final-winning coach Ian Millward has backed Castleford's Luke Gale for the 2017 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.
Gale is joined on the three-man shortlist for the award by Castleford team-mate Zak Hardaker and Albert Kelly of Hull FC.
The winner, decided by a poll of Super League players, will be announced at the Man of Steel dinner in Manchester on Tuesday (October 3) and our rugby league expert Millward says Gale is the man who deserves the trophy.
"Luke Gale is the number one half-back and the lone contender to play in that position for England at the World Cup," Millward told sportinglife.com.
"He's Super League's leading goalkicker and Castleford have scored more tries than any other team on the back of his ability. He has great vision to play ahead of what's in front of him and is brave for small man to take the ball deep.
"Most importantly, the vision with his kicking game at Castleford's small ground has hemmed the opposition in their own half and applied pressure.
"I think he'll be the Man of Steel because he's been the main contributor to Castleford's successful season and he deserves the award."
Gale kicked a Golden Point in extra-time as Castleford beat St Helens on Thursday night to reach their first ever Super League Grand Final.
The Tigers half-back will be joined by Hardaker in the line-up to face Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday night.
Castleford are Sky Bet's odds-on favourites at 1/2 to win the Super League Grand Final and Leeds can be backed as 7/4 outsiders.
Hardaker has impressed this season after a short spell playing in Australia and Millward is pleased to see the former Leeds winger back at the top of his game.
"I've been impressed with Zak Hardaker's composure and greater enthusiasm this year.
"The people at Castleford should be applauded for getting him in great condition and a key part of their winning team.
"The amount of tries that Castleford's wingers have scored is great credit to Hardaker too. His ability to save tries has also improved - sometimes it's not what you score but what you save. He's benefited from his spell in Australia and he's still improving."
Millward doesn't think Hull FC's Kelly will be leaving Manchester with the Man of Steel prize but it has still been an impressive campaign for the Australian.
"Albert Kelly hasn't changed since leaving Australia," he added. "He still wants to attack rather than make a tackle and is an absolute free spirit who always plays what's in front of him.
"Credit to Marc Sneyd (his Hull FC team-mate) for guiding the team and letting Kelly play. His tryscoring record is the key reason that he's a big threat and has enjoyed his best season in Super League."
