Western Australian prospect George Gale has firmed as one of his state's leading draft prospects after a shining Under-18s National Championships.
The son of Mark Gale, who played 71 games for Fremantle and 13 games for St Kilda, short of the 100-game father-son threshold, co-captained Western Australia and averaged 23 disposals throughout the carnival.
He was also a clear standout in the Black Swans' six trial games, proving his ability to play as an inside and outside midfielder, with marking, running power and ball-use all clear strengths.
Gale was also part of the Under-18s squad last year and puts his improved performance down to a significant uptick in his confidence.
"Personally I don't think my self-belief was quite there last year when I was playing in the 18s as an underager, I didn't know if I necessarily deserved to be there," Gale told Zero Hanger's Craft of the Draft.
"It's definitely helped with the transition into my footy which has seen more consistent and better form so it is more the self belief and confidence in yourself to back yourself when you're out there to compete with the best kids in the country.
"It's a form related thing and I had a couple of good trial games which put more confidence in myself but it's another year of developing.
"I've put on quite a lot of size this year which has been a helping factor, I'm stronger, quicker and more powerful which has given me more confidence to compete."
As well as his Dad, he has leant on St Kilda pair Hugh Boxshall and Charlie Banfield, both Scotch College alumni and models his game on Banfield and Adelaide's Dan Curtin.
He believes he would bring flexibility to an AFL list having proven his ability to impact across different lines and has a mindset sharpened through the lessons passed on by his Dad.
"Dad's experienced it first hand and he's definitely put those important lessons of hard work and what it takes to get to the next level since I was really young and it has definitely been really beneficial and prepared me pretty well," Gale said.
"When you get into these programs you're competing against better people but if you continue to work hard and believe in yourself it will put you in good stead going forward."
Gale is also the grandson of legendary Australian golfer Terry Gale and the cousin of Collingwood's Ed Allan, who he has leaned on as the Pies midfielder navigates the early part of his AFL career.
"I've definitely been following him. He's been good to emulate and learn off the experiences he's had," Gale said of Allan.
"It hasn't been an easy journey and it's not going to be an easy road if you're lucky enough to get drafted, there will be lots of hardships along the way but the way he's persisted through that and been able to break into the team this year has been a great lesson to learn."
