Betfred Super League: Man of Steel & top tryscorer free tips and analysis

Best bets

L Thompson Man of Steel
2pts 33-1 general
S Ward Man of Steel
1pt 100-1 general
R Grace top tryscorer
2pts each-way 20-1 Betfred
M Fonua top Hull tryscorer
2pts 4-1 Betfred

Preview

An influx of genuine stars into the Betfred Super League has contributed to a buzz around the 13-man code that has been sorely missing in recent seasons.

New boys Toronto pulled off the biggest off-season transfer, persuading Sonny Bill Williams to switch back to league for the third time in his career.

But Williams is not the only star who will light up Super League grounds. The arrival of Israel Folau at Catalans has garnered plenty of attention on the eve of the new season but Australia international and NRL winner James Maloney could be a much more significant signing for the French outfit.

They all feature prominently in an open Man of Steel betting market which Maloney heads at 14-1.

Jackson Hastings was a 40-1 winner of the award last term as he almost single-handedly inspired Salford to a maiden Grand Final appearance and looking further down the list could be prudent again.

Playmakers and outside backs have dominated the award in recent years but in Luke Thompson, St Helens have a prop who embodies the Man of Steel moniker entirely.

Described by former Saints coach Justin Holbrook as "the best prop in the world", Thompson had a sensational 2019 season that has brought admiring glances from the NRL.

Thompson remains with Saints for now – he is off-contract at the end of the season – which is their’s, and the competitions gain.

A ferocious tackler and ball-carrier, who has the ability to inspire Saints in the way Jamie Peacock used galvanise Leeds, Thompson would be a fitting winner of the award and overpriced at 33-1.

Injuries have curtailed the career of Leeds back-rower Stevie Ward but when he is on the field he usually stands out.

Appointed as captain after Trent Merrin departed in January, Ward is the man tasked with leading a new generation at Headingley and if Leeds are to return to Super League’s top table he is likely to have led from the front. Quotes of 100-1 look generous about a player of his quality.

Tommy Makinson scored a final-day hat-trick to finish top of the tryscoring charts in 2019 and the St Helens flyer is 12-1 favourite to retain his crown.

His biggest threat could come from a teammate, with Welsh wing wizard Regan Grace fancied to have another prolific campaign.

Grace scored 22 tries in 33 appearances in all competitions last term including 20 in Super League.

There is no 28-1 on offer this year but Betfred have dangled a 20-1 carrot while other firms are as short as 12-1.

With no sign of St Helens regressing this season, a bet on Grace looks heaven-sent.

Mahe Fonua scored 31 tries in 58 appearances in a two-year spell at Hull between 2016 and 2017 and the Airlie Birds will be hoping he can cross the whitewash with similar regularity on his retun to the KCom Stadium.

A 33-1 chance to top the league’s try charts, he looks a standout 4-1 to be Hull’s premier tryscorer.

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