Readers’ Awards 2020: Signing of the Year

Some might say an unlikely winner of this award, but certainly a deserved one.

3. Luke Gale (Leeds)

The 2017 Man of Steel went full circle as he returned to where it all began with hometown club Leeds. The scrum half hadn’t played a first-team game for the Rhinos before leaving for Doncaster in 2007, and made up for lost time in the fragmented 2020 season – making 14 appearances and helping the Rhinos lift the Challenge Cup trophy.

2. Aidan Sezer (Huddersfield)

It proved to be an up and down year for Huddersfield, who started the season in fine form, inspired by new recruit Sezer.

A few unfortunate and narrow losses after the re-start eventually led to the departure of coach Simon Woolford, and their play-off hopes evaporated with a whimper.

But in spite of that, the signing from Canberra Raiders provided regular flashes of brilliance and was a contender for the Man of Steel award when the votes were blacked out towards the end of the campaign. He finished with 105 points from 17 appearances.

1. Joe Cator (Hull)

He may not have been an obvious contender for this award 12 months ago, but Hull’s young loose forward Joe Cator enjoyed a fine maiden year for the Black and Whites.

Signing for his boyhood team from Leigh, Cator made his debut in the 27-26 win over Wakefield and went from strength to strength, especially after the rule changes post-lockdown.

Coach Andy Last called him the fittest middle in the competition and his stats told you everything – including a man of the match performance against Huddersfield in which he delivered 50 tackles and 111 metres from 17 carries.

Love Rugby League Readers’ Awards 2020 Signing of the Year – Joe Cator (Hull)

The Love Rugby League Readers’ Awards are voted for by you – via our Facebook and Twitter channels, and also via the comments section of the website. Voting is held in mid-December each year. View the 2019 winners here.