FULL-BACK: SAM TOMKINS (CATALANS)
2021's Man of Steel was a deserving recipient of the award after a superb year in Perpignan. The full-back has contributed to 30 tries this year, scoring ten of his own and assisting 20, and his quality and ability to influence play from the back has been the most important facet in Catalans' terrific season. Outstanding defensively too, which was on show in the Grand Final.
Unlucky to miss out: Jake Connor Jackson Hastings
WINGER: TOM DAVIES (CATALANS)
I'm a massive fan of Tom Davies. The winger has improved dramatically in 2021 and received his first England call-up in June, in which he scored a debut try for the national team. Davies crossed for 14 scores this season and was a very solid metre-maker too. Wigan don't really have an outstanding winger and must surely wish they had him back.
Unlucky to miss out: Jordan Turner Adam Swift
CENTRE: JACK WELSBY (ST HELENS)
A tough one, to be honest, because Welsby has been one of the stand-out players in Super League this year, but has played in such a variety of positions (full-back, wing, centre, halves, interchange) that it's difficult to know where to fit him in. For me, the 20-year-old's best form has come in the centres. His 13 tries and 13 assists is extremely impressive, he is an unbelievable player for his age - it shows how highly thought of he is that Saints aren't looking for a Lachlan Coote replacement - Welsby will be their full-back next season.
Unlucky to miss out: Samisoni Langi Shaun Kenny-Dowall
CENTRE: MARK PERCIVAL (ST HELENS)
I've said this a few times, but for me, Mark Percival is the most underrated player in Super League. As centres go, his upper-body strength is tremendous, and I'm always impressed by how well he plays in the big games - tries against Wigan, Warrington and Catalans this season, as well as a brace in the playoff semi-final against Leeds. On ability, he's easily the best centre in the league and if he can finally have an injury-free year in 2022, he will be a shoo-in for a starting berth for England at the World Cup.
Unlucky to miss out: Harry Newman Jake Mamo
WINGER: KEN SIO (SALFORD)
For the second year in a row, the left-wing spot of my team of the season is filled by a Salford man. After Krisnan Inu in 2020, it's Ken Sio in 2021, who finished the year as Super League's top tryscorer. 19 tries in 19 appearances in an excellent return, especially in a team that won just seven matches all season. Sio is a really good finisher and Salford will be desperately happy that he has signed on for another year with the Red Devils.
Unlucky to miss out: Ryan Hall Regan Grace
HALFBACK: JORDAN ABDULL (HULL KR)
A tough choice here, but I've gone with Abdull, who has impressed me all year. The former London half-back has run the show for the resurgent KR in 2021 with his creative play and game management. He was absolutely sensational in their playoff win at the HJ and his thirteen assists is statistical testament to the influence he's had for Tony Smith's team this season.
Unlucky to miss out: Jonny Lomax James Maloney
HALFBACK: GARETH WIDDOP (WARRINGTON)
After a tough start to life in Warrington in 2020, Widdop has shown his class this year with an excellent individual campaign. The former NRL Premier has carried Wire to victories at times this season, registering ten tries and thirteen assists, and being a crucial component in Warrington's clinical left edge. Nearly all of Wire's good play has gone through him this year and he was recognised by being nominated for the Man of Steel award.
Unlucky to miss out: Josh Drinkwater Mason Lino
PROP: ALEX WALMSLEY (ST HELENS)
The easiest decision of the lot. Walmsley is a different breed to anything else in Super League, he is a wrecking ball of a prop, a destructive force that eats up metres for fun and constantly gets St Helens on the front foot. Walmsley churns out major stints week after week, and the 31-year-old has busted 74 tackles this year. Every team in the world would benefit from having an Alex Walmsley in them.
Unlucky to miss out: Matt Prior Sam Kasiano
HOOKER: JAMES ROBY (ST HELENS)
There's been some very good hookers in Super League this year, I'd add Micky McIlorum at Catalans into this list, but I've ended up going for the legend that is James Roby. In his penultimate year at Saints, Roby has been instrumental once again in their title charge. 727 tackles and just 18 missed is insane numbers for a player in the twilight of his career. One of the all-time Super League greats.
Unlucky to miss out: Kruise Leeming Daryl Clark
PROP: JULIAN BOUSQUET (CATALANS)
30-year-old Julian Bousquet has laid the platform for the likes of Tomkins, Maloney and Drinkwater to perform all year with his hard-working and consistent stints in the front row. Averaging 8.4 metres per carry, the Frenchman is also a solid presence in defence. He's been at the Dragons for ten years now, and finally appears to be getting the credit he deserves.
Unlucky to miss out: Mike Cooper Chris Satae
SECOND ROW: MIKE MCMEEKEN (CATALANS)
Nine tries and seven assists for McMeeken this season, the former Castleford man showing his very best form for Catalans. 620 tackles too, showing that he does the 'dirty' side of a second-rower's job. He is a quality player with a wonderful pair of hands - someone who can find a pass from anywhere - 48 offloads in 2021. Classy player.
Unlucky to miss out: Ben Currie Oliver Holmes
SECOND ROW: KANE LINNETT (HULL KR)
One of only two Australians to make my team, Linnett has been a constant threat for Tony Smith's Hull KR team. With thirteen tries, Linnett has formed a deadly edge for the Robins. I rate him very highly - he is a classic second-rower in that he is on the end of attacks to score, and also gives the opposition a hard time. At 1.94m, he is a big guy and is as tough to handle in attack as he is in defence.
Unlucky to miss out: Liam Farrell Kelepi Tanginoa
LOOSE FORWARD: MORGAN KNOWLES (ST HELENS)
An absolutely top-class player. It feels like the Cumbrian is the last of a dying breed of classic loose forwards. In recent times, the role of a 13 has just been to be an additional prop - but Knowles is so much more than that. A ball-handler, a good passer, a good tackler. Someone who can do a bit of everything. There are so few of them around these days, particularly in England, but the 24-year-old is exactly what a loose forward is supposed to be, and a key cog in the St Helens wheel.
Unlucky to miss out: Joe Westerman Benjamin Garcia
COACH: STEVE MCNAMARA (CATALANS)
Hard to choose between these three - McNamara has presided over the league's most consistent team Smith has inspired a group of players to wildly overachieve, while Woolf has adapted his side this year, while still winning. I have gone for McNamara though - Catalans have been wonderful and no-one expected them to challenge for the big honours.
Unlucky to miss out: Tony Smith Kristian Woolf
@ALooseWire
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