Hull KR player of the year verdict delivered with disagreement on top three
Hull Kingston Rovers' Keepmoat Player of the Season voting opened this week - and the speed, and range, of the responses has been noteworthy with more than 1,000 members already getting their views across.
A quick and wide range of voting in these awards is often an indicator of two things - an enthusiastic and passionate fan base that is excited about what they are seeing, and a squad that has key performers across the park. It is understood that voting is very close between a lot of players - with voting closing at the end of next week. The club's end of season awards are being held on Monday September 23 at the Connexin Live Arena.
Having finished fourth in Super League last season, Rovers are now second in Super League ahead of the penultimate round of regular-season fixtures - in which they face Leigh Leopards away on Friday night - so they have already guaranteed their best-ever Super League era finish. On the subject of the members' Player of the Season award, social media reaction has seen a range of players in various areas of the field discussed.
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Here is how Hull Live's writers on Rovers this season see the top three:
Matthew Shaw - Rugby League Live Editor
3 Sauaso Sue
For me, the prop is Hull KR's most underappreciated player and gets nowhere near the credit he deserves. Sue sets the platform, alongside Jai Whitbread, at the start of games and quite often, it's that period where Rovers win the game, even if the points come later. Defensively he is solid and he takes tough carries and causes issues. The job he does isn't glamorous but its importance can't be understated. He's only missed one game all season, which adds to his value to the team, and anyone who watches Rovers regularly knows just how good he has been.
2 Elliot Minchella
They say that actions speak louder than words and Rovers' leader is the epitome of that. Minchella has had another fabulous season, arguably the best of his career, and can now call himself an England international. There's little doubting his importance, but it goes far beyond the big minutes, the ball-playing qualities and the high volume of tackles he makes every game. He brings presence, authority and high-class leadership, and could well make the Super League Dream Team this year.
1 Mikey Lewis
It's a compliment to the performances of others this year that Mikey Lewis isn't nailed on for this award. Because, let's be honest here, the halfback has been absolutely tremendous this season and, in my opinion, should be named Man of Steel. Lewis was already a leading performer in the competition but all facets of his game have improved this year. He's even more devastating with ball in hand, his defence has improved tenfold, and kicking-wise, he's starting to control games from the boot. No player in Super League has more direct try contributions to their name than Lewis this year and he is the star man.
Arindam Rej - Hull Live Hull KR reporter
3 Peta Hiku
Hiku has been a devastating presence at times at right centre, capable of being a deft, smooth-functioning key that unlocks hard-to-pick defences while also being a bulldozer with smooth acceleration. Hull KR coach Willie Peters has already, in his media duties, unprompted, mentioned that the player should "no doubt" be in the Super League Dream Team. Previously he had not reached double figures of tries in a season as much as he would have wanted, but this season he has shattered that, on 14, already, only behind Mikey Lewis.
2 Dean Hadley
"We speak about him every week" said Hull KR coach Willie Peters when asked this week, in his pre-match media duties ahead of Friday night's game at Leigh, about Hadley reaching 100 appearances for the club - and that reflects the player's consistency and the way it is has been recognised by reporters this year. "Unsung hero" was another phrase that Peters used, but more and more people are talking up the forward's qualities now. He is powerful, determined, shows initiative and is prepared to do the dirty work, sweeping up to assist his team-mates.
1 Mikey Lewis
Seeing Mikey Lewis doing keepy-uppies with a rugby ball before kick off at Wigan last Friday night - the biggest game of the season so far - was an image that said a lot about him; this is a man capable of eye-catching swagger even in tense situations; and he later followed that up with a characteristic solo try against Matty Peet's men. He is Rovers' top try scorer on 17, only behind Liam Marshall in Super League, but that only tells part of the story; the manner of some of those has been breath-taking, capable of providing spark when Rovers need re-igniting. Such a hard player to read, defend against and stop, and growing in defence too.
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