CASTLEFORD Tigers were the big winners at the Super League Man of Steel dinner at the Monastery in Manchester.

Scrum-half Luke Gale was named the 2017 Steve Prescott Man of Steel, while boss Daryl Powell, once a coaching consultant with York City Knights, was named Coach of the Year.

The Tigers topped rugby league's top flight for the first time in their history and have also reached the Grand Final for the first time, their stunning extra-time win over St Helens last week - when Gale, just 16 days after emergency surgery to remove his appendix, equalised with a penalty after the final hooter and then won the tie with a golden-point drop-goal - setting up a showdown with Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Gale, 29, had been shortlisted alongside team-mate Zak Hardaker, who came second in the poll of fellow Super League professionals, and Hull FC stand-off Albert Kelly, who was third.

Powell, in charge of Cas since 2013, was voted Coach of the Year by his fellow peers in the game.

The Tigers were also named Betfred Super League Club of the Year, due not only to their success on the field but also to a notable increase in attendances.

Retiring Super League players Thomas Bosc (220 appearances), Chris Bridge (248 appearances), Rob Burrow (428 appearances), Eorl Crabtree (347 appearances), Gareth Ellis (299 appearances), Andy Lynch (452 appearances), Iafeta Palea’aesina (220 appearances) and Leon Pryce (432 appearances) were also presented with Outstanding Achievement in Super League awards.

Man of Steel award winners: Hit man - Danny Houghton (Hull FC, 1123 tackles); Top metre maker - Alex Walmsley (St Helens, 4256 metres made); Top try-scorer - Greg Eden (Castleford, 38 tries); Top gun - Marc Sneyd (Hull FC, 89 per cent conversion rate); Outstanding Contribution - Thomas Bosc, Chris Bridge, Rob Burrow, Eorl Crabtree, Gareth Ellis, Andy Lynch, Iafeta Palea’aesina, Leon Pryce; Foundation of the Year - Wigan Warriors; Club of the Year - Castleford Tigers; Young Player of the Year - Oliver Gildart (Wigan); Betfred Super League Coach of the Year - Daryl Powell (Castleford); The Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel - Luke Gale (Castleford).