MATT Dufty is in a superb position to become Warrington Wolves’ first Man of Steel winner of the Super League era.

At a key time in the voting process, the Australian full-back has moved joint-top of the points leaderboard for the competition’s top individual prize.

No Wire player has won the award since Jonathan Davies did so in 1994 but in jointly leading the standings on 18 points alongside Salford Red Devils scrum-half Marc Sneyd, Dufty has put himself in with a great chance.

From now on, all votes from the panel will be hidden having been published weekly until this point, with the winner to be revealed in the closing week of the campaign.

Dufty moved alongside Sneyd after being awarded three points for his performance against Huddersfield Giants on Friday – a game in which he scored a try, recorded four assists and ran for 254 metres with the ball.

It is the fourth time this season he has been awarded maximum Man of Steel points, and the second week in a row having also picked up three for the Round 15 win at Hull FC.

Unsurprisingly, all of the available points went to Wire players following their 48-0 drubbing of Ian Watson’s side – Stefan Ratchford earned two points having scored a try and kicked eight goals from as many attempts with the remaining point on offer going to Rodrick Tai.

Leigh Leopards’ Matt Moylan is a point behind Dufty and Sneyd, closely followed by Salford centre Nene Macdonald (15) and Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis (14).

Wire half-back George Williams is inside the top 10 with 11 points.