A METAMORPHOSIS in West Harbour's boardroom and change room is behind their stunning transformation from strugglers to danger men.
The Pirates overhauled their playing roster and executive committee in the off-season after poor showings in the past two years, and the incoming officials devised a five-year plan to become heavyweights in club rugby.
They had no idea the changes would have such an immediate impact; West Harbour are sitting second on the first-grade ladder after seven rounds, playing some exhilarating rugby to notch five wins and secure a four-try bonus point on six occasions.
Only two members of the first-grade side from last year are still at the club, but new coach Stu Woodhouse - a former Pirates player - has been able to transform this group of strangers into the tournament's fearsome entertainers.
While no former player was asked to leave, the club's vice-president Greg Wallace said their new approach did not suit many of the old guard.
"We outlined what we were looking for; we wanted people who were going to put the club first, then the team, then the individual," Wallace said. "That didn't work for some of the players and they left."
On Saturday, West Harbour outworked Northern Suburbs to win 50-27 at Concord Oval. Down by one point with 17 minutes remaining, the Pirates ran in 24 unanswered points to power home.
Winger Nick Reily ran in three five-pointers and his fellow flankman John Sinisa lifted his season tally to eight with a double as the Pirates crossed the line seven times.
Reily opened his side's account with a brilliant 65-metre effort, followed shortly by Sinisa who benefitted from clever lead-up work by captain Ben Martin and No.8 Isaiah Pine.
Reily scored his second try with a 50-metre runaway effort and Martin's conversion made it 19-3 after 22 minutes.
But Norths hit back with hooker Al Manning driving over from a lineout and Corey Brown scoring another just before the break to bring the visitors to within four points.
Norths continued the second half as they ended the first and it wasn't long before they hit the lead, as fullback Andrew Smith claimed a Martin chip and sliced through the Pirates to make it 20-19.
West Harbour responded through Sinisa but then lost breakaway Mark Porpiglia to the sin-bin after repeated infringements. The extra man proved too much for the home side's defence and five-eighth Todd Sly crossed out wide.
But Reily saved his best until last, scoring a 90-metre gem that killed off the challenge.
Late tries to Lester Salanoa and Dave Paurini put an exclamation mark on the win.
Wallace estimated "half the club" ran onto the pitch after the full-time siren to sing the club song. It was well deserved too, considering all seven of their teams, including Colts, won for the second successive week.
If there are any doubts as to the seriousness of West Harbour's claims this year, they'll be answered in the next fortnight against traditional powerhouses Easts and then third-placed Gordon.
"Are we a heavyweight of the competition right now? Of course not," Wallace said. "But we are getting there, we are working towards that."
As he celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday, Wallace joked that the club spirit was so strong first-grade had decided to score 50 points just for him. Now they just need to find an elderly official whose birthday falls on grand final day.
