CASTLEFORD TIGERS half-back Luke Gale believes his career has taken a huge leap forward in a short space of time since joining the Tigers, and his current position as the leader of the Albert Goldthorpe Medal table, following the first ten weeks of the season, is a key indicator of the progress he’s made since joining the Tigers at the start of the season.
The former Bradford and London player has settled into life under Daryl Powell’s coaching, and he believes the influence of Powell – as well as other former halves on the coaching staff – has kicked his game on.
“I’m enjoying it here, I think it’s going well. It was hard at first getting to know everyone and all the plays, but I’m happy with how the team is coming together,” Gale told League Express.
“I knew they could take me to the next step of my career, and so far it’s working. I feel like my game has kicked on; I’ve got a bit more structure to my game, and I’m learning every week playing under some great former halfbacks like Daryl, Danny Orr and Ryan Sheridan.”
The Tigers have won four of their last five games to cement a position inside the top eight in Super League, and Gale believes the partnerships at the club are starting to settle following a difficult start to the season, as well as praising the Tigers’ mean defence, currently the third best in Super League.
“It was always going to be a tough game against a good Hull KR side, and after a tough Easter period this is the game that can get you. The defensive performance was outstanding. They’ve got a lot of points in them and to keep them to just four points scored is brilliant from us.
“We’re getting on a roll now, and I think that’s important in a league like this, because a couple of quick wins can boost you right up that table.
He added: “It’s starting to click now. Our attack isn’t quite there but our defence is more than making up for it. Me and Ben (Roberts) are doing okay together, we’ve won the last couple playing together which is nice, but we’ve all got good partnerships – me, Ben and Liam (Finn).”
Gale says he’s constantly reminded of his position in the Albert Goldthorpe Medal table via the wonders of social media.
He currently has a three-point lead over Hull KR’s Terry Campese, after earning three points last Saturday as the Tigers beat Hull KR 25-4, with St Helens’ Alex Walmsley a further four points back in fourth place.
“People tweet me all the time saying it’s me and Terry Campese jostling it out at the top of the table, and it’s good to get back to the top,” said Gale.
“My agent, Craig Harrison, keeps ringing me and telling me how I’m doing on the table!
“It’s nice to get recognised for personal honours, and it shows I’m doing okay.”
Albert Goldthorpe Medal Points Table 2015
Points after 10 rounds
Luke Gale Castleford Tigers 18
Terry Campese Hull Kingston Rovers 15
Alex Walmsley St Helens 11
Scott Dureau Catalans Dragons 10
Ian Henderson Catalans Dragons 10
Danny Brough Huddersfield Giants 9
Stefan Ratchford Warrington Wolves 9
Adam Cuthbertson Leeds Rhinos 8
Rangi Chase Salford Red Devils 6
Jamie Ellis Huddersfield Giants 6
Albert Kelly Hull Kingston Rovers 6
Cory Paterson Salford Red Devils 6
Zeb Taia Catalans Dragons 6
Atelea Vea St Helens 6
Jon Wilkin St Helens 6
Carl Ablett Leeds Rhinos 5
John Bateman Wigan Warriors 5
Kevin Brown Widnes Vikings 5
Kieran Dixon Hull Kingston Rovers 5
Ryan Hampshire Wigan Warriors 5
Matty Smith Wigan Warriors 5
Marc Sneyd Hull FC 5
Ben Westwood Warrington Wolves 5
Tony Clubb Wigan Warriors 4
Aaron Heremaia Widnes Vikings 4
Joe Mellor Widnes Vikings 4
Aaron Murphy Huddersfield Giants 4
Matthew Russell Warrington Wolves 4
Jamie Shaul Hull FC 4
Stevie Ward Leeds Rhinos 4
Lloyd White Widnes Vikings 4
Paul Aiton Leeds Rhinos 3
Kyle Amor St Helens 3
Tom Briscoe Leeds Rhinos 3
Travis Burns St Helens 3
Rob Burrow Leeds Rhinos 3
Michael Dobson Salford Red Devils 3
Liam Farrell Wigan Warriors 3
Liam Finn Castleford Tigers 3
Joe Greenwood St Helens 3
Scott Grix Huddersfield Giants 3
Harrison Hansen Salford Red Devils 3
Zak Hardaker Leeds Rhinos 3
Ben Jones-Bishop Salford Red Devils 3
Tom Lineham Hull FC 3
Frankie Mariano Castleford Tigers 3
Jermaine McGillvary Huddersfield Giants 3
Richie Myler Warrington Wolves 3
Leon Pryce Hull FC 3
Jordan Rankin Hull FC 3
Ashton Sims Warrington Wolves 3
Kevin Sinfield Leeds Rhinos 3
Brad Singleton Leeds Rhinos 3
Ken Sio Hull Kingston Rovers 3
Tim Smith Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 3
Liam Sutcliffe Leeds Rhinos 3
Ryan Sutton Wigan Warriors 3
Joe Westerman Hull FC 3
Luke Dorn Castleford Tigers 2
Niall Evalds Salford Red Devils 2
Paddy Flynn Widnes Vikings 2
Craig Hall Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2
Rhys Hanbury Widnes Vikings 2
Ash Handley Leeds Rhinos 2
Lance Hohaia St Helens 2
Liam Hood Salford Red Devils 2
Shaun Lunt Hull Kingston Rovers 2
Dominic Manfredi Wigan Warriors 2
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook St Helens 2
Jacob Miller Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2
Adam Milner Castleford Tigers 2
Mark Minichiello Hull FC 2
Junior Moors Castleford Tigers 2
Junior Moors Castleford Tigers 2
Curtis Naughton Hull FC 2
Mark Percival St Helens 2
Scott Taylor Salford Red Devils 2
Jordan Thompson Hull FC 2
Willie Tonga Catalans Dragons 2
Joe Wardle Huddersfield Giants 2
Kallum Watkins Leeds Rhinos 2
Justin Carney Castleford Tigers 1
Ben Cockayne Hull Kingston Rovers 1
Gil Dudson Widnes Vikings 1
Gareth Ellis Hull FC 1
Morgan Escaré Catalans Dragons 1
Danny Galea Widnes Vikings 1
Anthony Gelling Wigan Warriors 1
Alex Gerrard Widnes Vikings 1
Josh Griffin Salford Red Devils 1
Chris Hill Warrington Wolves 1
Gareth Hock Salford Red Devils 1
Graeme Horne Hull Kingston Rovers 1
Danny Houghton Hull FC 1
Ali Lautiiti Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 1
Tommy Lee Salford Red Devils 1
Andy Lynch Castleford Tigers 1
Tommy Makinson St Helens 1
Josh Mantellato Hull Kingston Rovers 1
Danny McGuire Leeds Rhinos 1
Jamie Peacock Leeds Rhinos 1
Kevin Penny Warrington Wolves 1
Chris Riley Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 1
Ben Roberts Castleford Tigers 1
Luke Robinson Huddersfield Giants 1
James Roby St Helens 1
Daniel Smith Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 1
Taulima Tautai Wigan Warriors 1
Danny Washbrook Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 1
George Williams Wigan Warriors 1