BEFORE this year, Daryl Clark’s last appearance in the Super League Dream Team was in 2014.

He won the Man of Steel award that year following his breakthrough season with Castleford Tigers that preceded his move to The Wire.

The hooker may not be on the five-man shortlist for this year’s award, but he feels like he has been in even better form than when he won Super League’s top individual honour.

“I feel like I’ve been playing just as well as the year I won the Man of Steel, if not better,” he said.

“There’s a lot of great players in this comp but I feel like I’m back to where I want to be.

“It’s taken a little bit longer than I would have liked but I’m glad to have been putting out consistent performances again.”

Blake Austin is the only Wire player on the shortlist for the award, the winner of which will be announced on Sunday.

If he wins, it means the year will end with two of the three foremost individual awards will be in the possession of Wire players after Clark scooped the Lance Todd Trophy for his man-of-the-match display in the Challenge Cup Final victory over St Helens.

The 26-year-old also won the Warrington Guardian readers’ player of the season award by a landslide as he polled just under 23 per cent of votes throughout the season.

Warrington Guardian:

Clark with his Warrington Guardian readers' player of the season award. Picture by Mike Boden

Clark says he was “made up” to be recognised by supporters who watch him every week but was quick to pay tribute to his teammates – particularly the Wire forwards – for setting a platform for him to shine.

“I think it’s been a pretty good year for me personally,” he said.

“To get some recognition from supporters and readers is great so I’m made up.

“They are the people who pay their hard-earned money to watch us play every week. To know they are happy with what I’ve been putting out on the field feels pretty good.

“Individual accolades are nice, but they are really team awards.

“I’ve had a great forward pack who have helped me do what I’ve been able to do, so hat’s off to them.”