Jake Connor wins 2025 Man of Steel for Leeds Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos halfback Jake Connor was named the 2025 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel at a ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday, capping a breakout first season at Headingley that helped return the club to the Super League playoffs. The 30 year old, who joined Leeds from Huddersfield Giants at the end of 2024, finished the campaign as the league's third highest points scorer with 181 points, compiling seven tries, 76 goals, one drop goal and around 30 assists.

Connor established himself as Leeds' primary playmaker after being recruited initially as a utility option in the spine. Capitalising on injuries to teammates, he assumed the standoff role under head coach Brad Arthur and was central to Leeds securing a fourth place regular season finish, their best top four placing since 2017. Leeds were eliminated in a dramatic playoff tie by St Helens when the visitors clinched victory on the final play of the match; Connor kicked six points in that game.

Connor edged Wigan fullback Jai Field and Hull KR halfback Mikey Lewis for the Man of Steel award. Lewis was the 2024 recipient and both he and Field are due to contest Saturday's Super League Grand Final. Connor is the first Leeds player...