The Rob Burrow Award is presented annually to the man of the match in the Super League Grand Final. It is named after former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow, the first person to be voted man of the match in two Super League Grand Finals.
The award replaced the Harry Sunderland Trophy in 2024.
Background
Prior to the introduction of the Rob Burrow Award, the man of the match in the Super League Grand Final was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy. The trophy was introduced in 1965, over 30 years before the formation of the Super League in 1996. It was awarded to the man of the match in the Championship final between 1965 and 1973, and the Premiership final between 1974 and 1997.
Below is a list of players who have been named man of the match since the inaugural Super League Grand Final in 1998.
Season Recipient Team1998Jason RobinsonWigan Warriors1999Henry Paul†Bradford Bulls2000Chris JoyntSt Helens2001Michael WithersBradford Bulls2002Paul Deacon†Bradford Bulls2003Stuart ReardonBradford Bulls2004Matt DiskinLeeds Rhinos2005Leon PryceBradford Bulls2006Paul WellensSt Helens2007Rob BurrowLeeds Rhinos2008Lee SmithLeeds Rhinos2009Kevin SinfieldLeeds Rhinos2010Thomas LeuluaiWigan Warriors2011Rob Burrow (2)Leeds Rhinos2012Kevin Sinfield (2)Leeds Rhinos2013Blake GreenWigan Warriors2014James RobySt Helens2015Danny McGuireLeeds Rhinos2016Liam FarrellWigan Warriors2017Danny McGuire (2)Leeds Rhinos2018Stefan Ratchford†Warrington Wolves2019Luke ThompsonSt Helens2020James Roby (2)St Helens2021Kevin NaiqamaSt Helens2022Jonny LomaxSt Helens2023Jake WardleWigan Warriors † = denotes a player who won the trophy but played on the losing team in the final.
List of winners Season Recipient Team2024Bevan FrenchWigan Warriors2025Mikey LewisHull Kingston Rovers2026Tom JohnstoneWakefield Trinity
References