In reply to The New NickB:
Of the realistic contenders I'd like to see Mo win because his success has been so sustained, he had to fight very negative press in the run up to this year's world champs and it's always the true champions who can triumph in adversity, and because he actually has a personality. Jess winning wouldn't be a travesty although I find her a little dull.
However, the rightful winner in a world that valued all sports equally would be "Sir" Kevin Sinfield. The "Sir" bestowed by rugby fans is ironic not in mockery of his achievements but in sarcastic recognition of the indifference suffered by rugby league's heroes. This is a one club man who, in a sport that batters the body like no other, has captained the once sleeping giants of Leeds for virtually 20 years. And to what effect. In the last decade they have become what Manchester United were under Ferguson, except that, unlike Keane or Neville, Sir Kev is universally revered for his captaincy, sportsmanship and humility. In a season where Leeds won the whole flipping lot of trophies, Kevin's first utterance was to commiserate with losing cup finalists Hull HKR, whom Leeds had just walloped 50-0 in a display of rugby perfection, because he knew the pain of defeat from 5 consecutive cup final defeats of his own. And when Leeds ran out of steam in pursuit of their miracle treble, his experience and drive squeezed them over the line with seconds to go.
But there's no chance of his winning, though Leeds might have been team of the year until the Davis Cup triumph.
