Roby maintains Saints' Man of Steel monopoly

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Barrett, 29, Wigan's former Australia half back, had to settle for being named Players' Player of the Year.

Roby was a surprise winner ahead of Trent Barrett

Roby's elevation to Man of Steel — the third St Helens player in a row to win the title — is a mark of his rise since his Super League debut three years ago.

It also reflects his club's phenomenal success. Saints go into Saturday's Super League Grand Final against Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford chasing an historic second successive Grand Slam.

Roby was flabbergasted to beat Barrett and last year's winner Paul Wellens to the top award. 'Only four or five years ago I was standing on the terraces at St Helens singing songs about Keiron Cunningham and since I got into the squad I couldn't have had anyone better to learn from,' he said.

'I have got used to being called Keiron's understudy but hopefully one day I will be in a position to start every game.'

Cunningham's retirement from international rugby last year gave Roby the chance to break into the Great Britain team in the Tri-Nations tournament Down Under where he made such an impact he attracted the attention of NRL club Manly.

He is still in talks with Saints about a new five-year contract.

St Helens scrum half Sean Long is expected to be given the all-clear to return after injury for the Grand Final. Prop Maurie Fa'asavalu is Saints' only other doubt whereas Leeds have a clean bill of health.

OTHER WINNERS:

Young Player of the Year:

Sam Burgess (Bradford) Coach of the Year:

Daniel Anderson (St Helens) Referee of the Year:

Steve Ganson. Top try scorer:

Henry Fa'afili (Warrington). Super League metre maker:

James Roby 3,303 metres Super League Hit Man:

Ben Fisher (Hull KR), 841 tackles. Club of the Year: Leeds Carnegie Community Player of the Year:

Richard Whiting (Hull) Special award: Keith Senior (Leeds), first player to play 300 Super League games.