True, McDonnell should have been (v poor).

You have a good pack for next year, not much else going for you!!

Galea for Pitts at least to start with and Tickle swap with Westerman and that would be my starter for the season. Tickle to cover prop when Westerman comes on.

Pitts played in the middle for us last season and will hopefully be moving to prop, I don't think Galea can play the 13 role that PG will want.

I don't want to see Tickle playing in the middle at all, Whiting and Ellis could share it.

Tickle is by far the best goal kicker at the club so needs to do 60+ minutes and has proven he can do that time and again. He's moved to prop before during games and we haven't lost anything much. I like Whiting at 13 and with your scenario including Pitts (who I hope has bulked up) I'd prefer back row Tickle/Ellis/Whiting starting with a bench of Pitts/Galea/O Meley/Heremaia.

Westerman should start in front of Galea.

I've no problem with the signing, he can read numbers as well as any half in SL but I don't think he's a starter. Good back up though.

Plenty of options in the backrow, Westerman should stick to the right, Tickle and Galea left or right, Ellis and Whiting left, right and centre.

1. McDonnell
2. Crookes
3. Arundel
4. Yeamo
5. Briscoe
6. Holdsworth
7. Seymour
8. Lynch
9. Houghton
10. Watts
11. Ellis
12. Tickle
13. Westerman

14. Ogre
15. Johnson
16. Whiting
17. Heremaia

Cant believe a few people not having Westerman in the 17

1 Shannon m
2 crooks
3 Arundel
4 yeaman
5 Briscoe
6 holdsworth
7 Seymour
8 lynch
9 heriamia
10 Pitts/Johnstone/Bowden/green
11Ellis
12 tickle
13 galea

14 Houghton
15 ogre
16 watts
17 whiting/westerman

This is one version of about four team combos I could come up with. I put this team because its got a bench capable of changing a game. Danny Houghton shouldn't be playing every minute every week imo. Aaron is a better passer so I'd like him starting and get us moving forward, and Danny particularly on dry tracks would be great coming on 20 in. Think in Aaron and Danny we have the best hooker interchange in the league. Later on could bring azza back on at loose and run with both 4a bit. Don't like watts or ogre starting just smashing in against opposition big men when they're fresh. Watts against a tiring defence with his offload could be game changing for us and if I was a tired defender can't imagine many players I'd least want running at me all fresh and fired up than ogre. Westy is a great runner out wide and has moments of excellence in him. And whiting can pop out a pass or kick and contribute attack wise but on a bad day can hold your team together.
This is a pretty strong squad. Hard choices for gentle to make.

It's certainly harder to pick the 17 for next season than previous seasons which is a good headache for Gentle to have.

Look, I appreciate that you're feeling pretty miserable about your bargain basement squad and zero chance of achieving anything of note for several years to come, but you're just making yourself look daft now.

That was my thinking with the exception of the possibility of Whiting not being as talented as Westerman which to me he clearly is.

1.McDonnell
2.Lineham
3.Arundel
4.Yeaman
5.Briscoe
6.Holdsworth
7.Seymour
8.O'Meley
9.Houghton
10.Lynch
11.Ellis
12.Tickle
13.Whiting

14.Heremaia
15.Watts
16.Westerman
17.Johnson

Our pack is very strong, with some good competition in the outside backs as well. I've (just) left Galea out for Westy, but either have strengths which they can bring into the side. The whole back row 5 will have good game time this year. Lineham just in for Crookes, but I think Gentle will pick Crookes to start. Arundel/Crooks competition will be good also.

I think we have yet to see the best of Westerman. he is better played as a second row but needs good ball to work with. His attitude improved massively last year and was a notable leader on the pitch in defence and being vocal. I have no problem with all 5 been in the 17, Ellis, Ticks, Westerman, Whiting and Galea.