Betfred Super League 2022: Man of Steel predictions and top tryscorer tips

Free rugby league tips, best specials bets and analysis for the 2022 Betfred Super League season, which starts on Thursday evening.

Best bets

Jonny Lomax Man of Steel
1pt 20-1 Hills

Aidan Sezer Man of Steel
1pt 14-1 Hills

Alex Walmsley Man of Steel
1pt 25-1 Betfred, Hills

Jack Welsby regular-season top tryscorer
1pt each-way 20-1 Betfred

Niall Evalds regular-season top tryscorer
1pt each-way 25-1 Betfred

Darnell McIntosh regular-season top tryscorer
1pt each-way 20-1 Betfred

Man of Steel

Sam Tomkins landed Man of Steel honours at 25-1 last season and the two previous winners went off at 40-1, so it may pay to look beyond the favourites once again when picking this year's winner.

Tomkins claimed the award, based on weekly ratings handed out by the MoS panel of experts, courtesy of some outstanding performances during the Dragons' run to the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

It was the second time he has won the prestigious honour and the sixth time a full-back has claimed it in the past 15 years. In fact, it follows a bizarre sequence in which a number one has won it every three years since 2006.

So in theory it could be 2024 when a full-back next gets his hands on the Steve Prescott Trophy, although St Helens star Jonny Lomax could easily fall into that category.

Lomax can play anywhere across the back positions and his versatility makes him a solid runner for personal glory in 2022.

The Saints utility-man finished third behind Tomkins and Hull KR's Jordan Abdull last season but with Saints fancied to dominate again this year, Lomax will have a crucial part to play having set up the winning try for Kevin Naiqama in last season's final.

Leeds will be looking to challenge Saints this year and they have invested heavily to make that happen.

A host of new faces have pitched up at Headingley but one who could stand out from the crowd is inspirational half-back, Aidan Sezer.

Sezer will form a mouth-watering partnership with fellow new recruit, Blake Austin, and the Rhinos will hope he can make a similar impact to when joining Huddersfield in 2020.

The Aussie star made 25 try contributions in 16 games for the Giants in his debut season and was a Man of Steel finalist due to his efforts that year.

Injuries hit hard last year but if he can get back to his best Sezer can be expected to be challenging for honours once again.

Alex Walmsley is no stranger to picking up prizes and St Helens' bulldozing prop is likely to be dripping in silverware once again this season.

Walmsley has been unstoppable in recent campaigns and featured in the Super League dream for a third time in 2021.

Former Saints James Graham was the last prop to win the award in 2008 but if Walmsley can start the season as he finished last year then he could go close to ending the drought for the front-rowers.

Regular season top tryscorer

Ken Sio romped away with the top tryscorer honours despite a season of struggle for Salford in 2021 and he is 20-1 to repeat the feat in 2022.

However, with the Red Devils facing another season of torment Sio can be swerved this time around with the regular-season's leading tryscorer expected to come from sides more likely to be challenging for honours.

St Helens are one of those sides and rising star Jack Welsby could be leading the charge.

Big things are expected of Welsby, and after bagging 13 tries last season, the 20-year-old has shown an ability to regularly get over the try-line, including a last-gasp winner in the 2020 Grand Final.

The departure of full-back Lachlan Coote has seen Welsby take over the number one shirt at Saints and he'll get chances aplenty with the reigning champions.

Niall Evalds won the man of the match award despite being on the losing side in last season's Challenge Cup final and the Castleford Tigers full-back can get his career back on track in 2022.

Evalds has scored 110 tries in 162 career appearances but the former Salford man claimed just three in a disappointing 2021.

Lee Radford has arrived to rejuvenate the Tigers and it will be hoped he can get the best out of his quick-stepping full-back who finished third in the try charts in 2019 with 22.

Hull FC splashed the cash to nick Darnell McIntosh from Huddersfield Giants and the flying winger could repay the faith shown in him by the Black & Whites.

McIntosh scored 46 times in 98 times for his former side and should get plenty of opportunities as his new side look to improve on last season's disappointing finish.

The former Giant has pace to burn and, with an abundance of creativity around him, there should be plenty of chances to strike.

Those wanting to back their own side's top tryscorer can now do so thanks to a new range of player specials on offer from competition sponsors Betfred.

Sio is 5-6 to finish as Salford's leading scorer once again while Konrad Hurrell is a juicy 10-1 shot to finish top of the list for St Helens.

Bevan French may tempt Wigan followers at 6-4 and Warrington flyer, Matty Ashton could give Wolves fans a run for their money at 5-4.

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