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9 months ago 01st Oct 09:49
Graham will be a key figure for England in the forthcoming World Cup England prop James Graham has been named the 2008 Super League Man of Steel, becoming the fourth successive St Helens player to claim the award.
The 23-year-old beat off competition from team-mate Leon Pryce and Jamie Peacock of Leeds, who Saints face in Saturday's Grant Final at Old Trafford.
Catalans Dragons' coach Mick Potter, who will replace outgoing Saints coach Daniel Anderson, is coach of the year.
The Australian leaves the Perpignan-based club after guiding them to an impressive third-place finish.
Graham, who was recently voted as player of the year by the Rugby League Writers' Association, received his trophy and a cheque for £5000 at a gala dinner in Manchester.
He becomes the seventh St Helens player to be crowned Man of Steel in the last nine years, emulating the feat of James Roby, Paul Wellens, Jamie Lyon, Sean Long and back-to-back winner Paul Sculthorpe.
The 2006 Super League young player of the year came into the side when Anderson lost both first-choice starting props Jason Cayless and Nick Fozzard through injury.
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