Same above for me

Why give him a role of goal kicking, it may affect his confidence and play on his mind, then affect his game.

Some players, like Whiting can handle everything, so let him carry on and let Westy do what hes doing now, playing as an on the ball forward (or a 7)

Its working well and letting us play with two wider 6's

too many pigeon hole a role to a shirt number, games about flexibilty at times and play what works, dont square peg a round hole

I put a tenner on Westerman for MOS last year. It appears I was possibly a year too early

Glad we gave him a contract extension last year!.
Could have been highly sought after on current form.

He's never been as bad as some made out he was, some people just have it in for him. To balance that off, he's never hit the heights that some of us have always known he can hit, but he's never been given this role before. Sure he's played in the middle at 13 plenty of times. But as Hutchie said, his role as first receiver is allowing us to play with split HB's very effectively. It's also good that it's him throwing the ball out the back rather than a prop, our attack is a lot quicker just because of this.

I thought he was a bit of a princess in his first 2 years. Much better last year. Terrific this year so far. What we seem to be seeing all round, and in none more than Westy, so far is a bounce in the step, appetite to work hard for each other, and much more confidence going forward. Brilliant.

How many people on here are regulars at our training sessions, then?

It's a strange jump to suggest that Westerman's improved form is down to a previously unprofessional attitude, based on rumours and the fact he appears in a bit better shape this year. Firstly, not that many facets of his game have changed that much, it's just that he's getting the ball in much better situations in which to influence the game. His work rate has always been good, which leads to a second point that his effort on the pitch has always been exemplary, and has therefore always caused me to have issues with the unprofessional and lazy accusations I've seen in the past. Thirdly, he's not the only player who looks in better shape, there are several. Now, the logical inference to me from this is not that individual players have improved their attitudes. It seems far more sensible to conclude that our training methods and/or off-field rules may well have changed for the better, bringing about improvements pretty much across the board.

And on the kicking, we should maybe look at ourselves as fans and the standing in which we hold players. Westerman has had 3 years of almost constant criticism from a large chunk of the following, and despite how well he played in the opening game it was thrown at him about the kicking (and still is, really, with the criticism now bring that he isn't kicking. Damned if you do...). On the other hand, Whiting could spend 80 minutes murdering puppies in the in goal area and still be in the running for the MOM award. Any wonder that one might feel the pressure more than the other?

Good summary. And as said elsewhere he looks superbly prepared as do all of our forwards. Cudos to our conditioning staff.

Bang on. Our pack, almost to a man, looks much fitter and stronger than we've had for years. That's why I think it's far more likely about the new regime's training methods and rules than individuals previously not putting enough in.

Last 4 posts sum it up for me.

Nail > head

I've never ever understood the battering he's taken off our fans! One of the strangest things I've known as a fan for 25years now
I've watched games. Seen him try his heart out. Top or near the tackle count, carry count, be our most effective forward then because as a team we've been pants he's been the go to man to tear to bits! Odd, really odd.
I've always seen this form was in him personally, to me it was always obvious we wasn't giving him a platform to work off!

The fact he's getting recognition for much improved performances shows that he wasn't performing previously so was rightly criticised. All this high horse clap trap based on selective memory is just boring.

Clap trap

If you say so.

For me he has been a pretty run of the mill back rower for the past few seasons. He is playing way above that level so far this season.

He was our most consistent forward last year too.

Clap trap indeed.