Hull Kingston Rovers' Mikey Lewis has been named the Man of Steel for the 2024 Super League season, becoming just the second Robins player to win the accolade.
The 23-year-old has played a fundamental role in taking KR to their first-ever Super League Grand Final, where they will take on reigning champions Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford for the ultimate prize on Saturday.
Lewis has 19 tries to his name from the 2024 season - only behind Liam Marshall (27) and Matt Dufty (21) - while also registering a joint-high 24 try assists, level with Lachlan Lam.
Also kicking 70 goals throughout the season, no player in the division boasts more points than Lewis's 216, and he is the first Hull KR player to scoop the Man of Steel accolade since Gavin Miller in 1986.
Speaking at Tuesday evening's awards ceremony - where he was presented with the award - Lewis, who was also named the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters' Association player of the year - reflected the time that he was ready to call it quits when he failed to get a place in the City of Hull Academy.
"I'm done," the 23-year-old recalled telling his parents. "It was probably the hardest thing to do. I just had to be honest with myself, I thought I wasn't good enough, and the support that they gave me gave me a kick up the backside and I had to sort myself out because all I wanted to do is be a rugby league player. I've done that and I just want to repay them."
Georgie Hetherington completes triple threat for York Valkyrie
A night to remember 🔥
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) October 8, 2024
Wheels of Steel: Joshua Butler 🏆
Man of Steel: Mikey Lewis 🏆
Woman of Steel: Georgie Hetherington 🏆 pic.twitter.com/DeFixIYDdG
Warrington Wolves' Dufty and Salford Red Devils' Marc Sneyd were also in contention to win the Man of Steel award, while elsewhere, the Woman of Steel prize was awarded to Georgie Hetherington of York Valkyrie.
York retained their RFL Women's Super League crown by beating St Helens 18-8 in last weekend's Grand Final, where Hetherington was named the Player of the Match.
Hetherington's crowning means that a Valkyrie player has won the Woman of Steel award three years running, after Tara-Jane Stanley (2022) and Sinead Peach (2023).
Elsewhere, Hull KR coach Willie Peters was named the Men's Coach of the Year after leading the Robins to an inaugural Grand Final, masterminding a 10-8 win over the Warrington Wolves in last weekend's semi-final.
Finally, 20-year-old Warriors protege Junior Nsemba - who recently signed a new six-year deal with the reigning champions - was named Young Player of the Year.
Ben Knapton
