He wanted to push for a spot in the Canterbury Cup by the end of the season and then earn a spot in the club's NRL pre-season.

Fast forward those few months and Gale has done both, and more.

The last few months having been something of a whirlwind for the former Western Rams and NSW Country back-rower, finding himself training alongside the likes of Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims and Paul Vaughan before sharing the field with some of the game's best during last weekend's Charity Shield match at Mudgee.

"It's been a really big learning curve," he said.

"I've been seeing how professionals do it and learning from guys like Frizell and Sims, who are in my position.

"It's been really good and I've seen the benefits of it and to play in a couple of trials is another good step towards the next level."

The next level for Gale is the NRL.

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And while the former Macquarie Raiders star knows there is a possibility of appearing in the top grade and achieving his dream this year, he's not allowing himself to think about it too much.

"It is very exciting but I've got to focus on the Canterbury Cup and really do well there and get my name out there by playing consistent footy," he said.

"What happens from there happens. The footy takes care of itself."

Gale has made an impact in the Illawarra ever since making the move following a Group 11 under 18s premiership win with Macquarie in 2017.

He was captain of the club's Jersey Flegg under 20s side last year but finished the campaign with a number of reserve grade games under his belt.

The Canterbury Cup is again where he'll start the 2020 season but the back-rower remains in the mind of Dragons' NRL coach Paul McGregor.

McGregor and other members of the coaching staff have given Gale plenty of positive feedback during the pre-season, from praising his progress and strength to pointing out the little things he could be doing better.

He's also learnt plenty from the star-studded Dragons forward pack during a pre-seaon Gale said was the most intense he's ever been a part of.

The biggest indication of McGregor's liking for Gale was in the recent trials, where he was selected to play in the win over the Newcastle Knights before featuring late on in the Charity Shield.

"I got a bit of time at the end there and it was really good," he said of last weekend at Mudgee.

"The whole week was a really good experience. We got to Mudgee on Wednesday and spent a few days there and while I didn't get a heap of game time it was good being around the boys and seeing how they prepare and their professionalism.

"It was eye-opening."

It was also special as it was a trip back west and Gale was also part of a visit to a school in Gulgong, somewhere he was very familiar with having played much of his junior footy at nearby Gilgandra.

There was also plenty of family and friends on hand at Mudgee to see him run out with the Dragons' NRL side.

"There's been mates who have messaged me the last few weeks congratulating me or saying how happy they are for me and some came and watched," he said.

"I always try to keep in contact with people at home to see how they're going and there's been a lot of support, which has been good to see."