Wakefield Trinity stars Tom Johnstone and Jake Trueman have hit out at the lack of individual recognition for their teammates, with one labelling the omission of Tyson Smoothy and Caleb Hamlin-Uele from the Man of Steel shortlist as ‘obscene.’
Despite Trinity’s best-ever finish, culminating in a breathtaking 33-6 play-off semi-final demolition of Wigan Warriors, not a single Wakefield player made the final shortlist for Super League’s top individual honour.
Speaking at Grand Final media day, an outspoken Johnstone expressed disbelief that hooker Smoothy and powerhouse prop Hamlin-Uele were overlooked despite consistently outperforming their competition.
“I don’t know how Tyson is not there or thereabouts, and I don’t know how Caleb wasn’t further up the listing to be honest,” Johnstone stated. “I think them two have been unbelievable this year.”
His comments were echoed by teammate Trueman, who said: “I’d probably expect Tyson Smoothy to be in with a shout. Caleb [Hamlin-Uele], maybe Isaiah [Vagana].
“[They are] guys who have played really well. I was surprised a couple of them guys didn’t get in the Dream Team as well.”
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Tom Johnstone calls out outdated perception as Wakefield Trinity target final statement
In a direct comparison, Johnstone pointed to Smoothy’s head-to-head battle with Wigan’s eventual Man of Steel winner Brad O’Neill, arguing that the stats favour the Trinity star.
“Caleb’s been the best prop in the comp and Tyson, for me, has been the best player in the comp,” Johnstone declared.
“He went to Wigan last week and played their Man of Steel contender, and obviously I’m a bit of a rugby nerd, but if you look at the stats, Tyson’s above him in nearly every aspect.
“I think there’s still that ‘Wakefield-of-old’ mentality of ‘it’s not a top club so they don’t quite get the recognition’ in certain aspects.
“But hopefully it’ll come if we get it done on Saturday night. To have them two not even in the talks is obscene to me.”
Despite the perceived disrespect, Johnstone insists Trinity have officially broken into Super League’s elite bracket, with a victory over Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford set to seal their new reality once and for all.
“For us, I think we’ve done enough to gain that respect from people,” Johnstone concluded. “It’s been an amazing year and we’re finally starting to achieve what we think we can achieve. But this is the big one—it’s all for nothing if we don’t get it done.”
