Graham strikes blow for Saints

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The 23-year-old Graham maintained Saints' dominance of rugby league's top individual award when he emerged top of a poll of Super League players, who determined the winner for the first time.

He beat his club-mate Leon Pryce and Leeds forward Jamie Peacock, one of his opponents in the Grand Final at Old Trafford - although the modest front rower insisted he was an "impostor".

Graham, recently voted player of the year by the Rugby League Writers Association, received his trophy and a cheque for £5,000 at a gala dinner in Manchester.

"I feel a bit embarrassed, a bit of an impostor," he said.

"It's about the team for me. I'd swap it for the Super League trophy."

Graham is the seventh St Helens player to be crowned Man of Steel in the last nine years - emulating the feats of James Roby (2007), Paul Wellens (2006), Jamie Lyon (2005), Sean Long (2000) and Paul Sculthorpe (2001 and 2002).

But he singled out Saints captain Keiron Cunningham as the man who should have been given the award in his place.

"He's an absolute legend," said Graham.

"They're making a statue of him. He's only a couple of years left, and I'm going to cherish every game I play with him."