Easy, you develop a system, devise tactics and your personnel implement both. Now I don't think the system was wrong, as I've said, it works for every other top 6 team. I think it was the tactics and players to implement the system that was wrong. Which strangely enough were down to Agar.

See, I'd say that the very fact that the top 6 currently use it is almost another reason to do something different, as 3 or 4 of them at least have stronger and more experienced exponents of that system. We may therefore be better off trying an alternative approach rather than playing them at their own game.

I can see why you expect Gentle to play the same way, though.

agree 100%, try something different suited to the players you have, don't just follow the crowd.

But, with a new 1, 7, 9 & 13 this year plus a new coaching set up with new tactics, who's to say we can't be as good or better than the others? Isn't it worth just as much a chance as changing a system the majority of players will be used to?

familiarity = contempt

we have new creative players, lets not have a workhorse plodding up at 13

All of our imports will be used to this kind of system, as will the rest of our squad, Westy hasn't played through the middle for over 2 years an he was used wider by Matterson in 2010.

I cant see Whiting moving from the backs, our squad cover wouldn't allow it.

That's possible, but we do have 3 wingers and 3 centres with SL experience without him. Admittedly he is currently a better option than a few of those, but we do have enough personnel to cope if we wanted him in the back row.

I meant more at fb tbh.

The majority of our young players are forwards as are Burnett and Aspinwall, I'd prefer him to move to the second row but can't see it.

I'm not saying that the current system won't be the answer, it may well be. I'm just in favour of trying the alternative next season, because IMO it would better suit the players we have and I don't personally think we will be as good as others at the current system at this moment in time.

Is Westerman a good enough defender to play 13?

No, and neither is Whiting IMO.

It does just come down to McKinnon. Hopefully he'll stay fit most of the season (although I can't say I'm confident). Jack Briscoe has been on the books a while now though, it's about time we either saw what he can do or let him go, really.

Only 1 way to find out for sure.