Matt Newsum, BBC Sport rugby league reporter

Jake Connor’s receipt of the Man of Metal award in 2025 is considerably becoming given the psychological toughness he has proven specifically to place himself again amongst Tremendous League’s greatest gamers since becoming a member of Leeds.

The 30-year-old has by no means lacked expertise, however at occasions utility and self-discipline have been his downfall. Nonetheless, that’s now not the case, as an preliminary mixture of robust phrases from boss Brad Arthur and a supportive surroundings since then have allowed Connor to thrive.

He was pivotal in Rhinos’ return to the play-offs along with his creativity and kicking recreation, and his mercurial skills additionally drew the perfect from team-mates Lachie Miller and Brodie Croft.

Again-rower Eva Hunter deserves her award following a stellar season with treble-winning Wigan within the girls’s recreation.

Pound for pound, few gamers run and hit as arduous as Hunter, who is a continuing supply of tries along with her driving runs on the Wigan edge. She is box-office.

London Roosters contributed lots to the 2025 wheelchair season and England’s Joe Coyd was key to that, regardless of defeats by Halifax Panthers in each finals.

His consistency helped set the usual for team-mates corresponding to Mason Billington and new England captain Lewis King, and he’ll hope to impress additional on England’s tour of Australia this autumn.