West Harbour were one of the form sides of the competition towards the back end of the regular season. 

But under rookie coach Cam Treloar, the Pirates left their run too late and ultimately fell just short of a breakthrough finals appearance. 

Despite that, the sleeping giant of Sydney club rugby appears to be on the rise. 

Image: J.B Photography

Overview with Cam Treloar: 

“We’re still just missing that final killer punch at West Harbour and that’s the big focus at the club at the moment. We’re getting better, but we’re still not quite there yet,” Treloar told Rugby News. 

“It’s a cliche, but winning is a habit and so is losing. Once you work out how to do one or the other, you seem to do it more often than not. 

“We probably stared too slowly in too many games. We came home like a freight train in most matches, it was the reverse of West Harbour sides of old. 

“We used to start really well and then fall away but this year was the opposite. We had a lot of teams on the ropes towards the end of matches, we just let them get out to too much of a lead first. 

“We’ve got to rectify that, but then still keep finishing games as strongly as we did this year. 

“Improving our fitness and discipline was a big focus this year and I think we took a big step forward. 

“I think poor discipline is usually a result of a lack of conditioning or fitness. When you’re tired, you look for other ways to get things done. 

“But I think we ended up being one of the lowest carded teams in the competition this year and that was really pleasing.

“Our maul was really good early in the season but it probably faded a little bit as the season went on. Teams worked out that we were mauling strongly and probably defended us better than others did early in the year. 

“We probably didn’t adapt our tactics enough as the season went on and that was a good lesson for me moving forward. 

“It’s been unreal to be back at Concord Oval. It gives us a heartbeat and a central point to be together all in the one building. Our gym is massive and we can fit grade, colts and our women all in together and that’s been great for the culture of the club. 

“We can also have our after match functions at the ground again. Little things like that really bring a club together and I think we’ll only continue to improve on the back of that.”

What needs to happen at West Harbour between now and round one next year? 

“I think the big focus is to keep this group together. In years gone by, we’ve had big turnover at the club but this year we’ve got a really tight group of guys and if we can keep them all together and have a second season where we can build on the work we did in 2023, then I think we’ll be vastly improved.

“I don’t think we need to change a heap in the way we attack or defend, we’ve just got to do it better so hopefully another season will give us time to do that. 

“Max Clementson, our captain this year, is heading back to England but outside of that we’re expecting to have the majority of the group back in 2024. 

“We’ve had two reasonably solid years in colts as well and those players are starting to filter into grade, which is fantastic and something that hasn’t happened at the club over recent years. 

“We’ve also just hired a full time colts and pathways coach which will be massive for us. If we can get a production line going and stop local juniors from leaving to play at other clubs, then it’s going to make a massive difference at West Harbour.”

Is there a player at your club ready to take the next step in their career? 

“Josh Thompson is one player to watch. He started the year playing in second grade and finished the year playing with the Western Force over in South Africa. It all came off the back of his hard work as well. 

“He’s got a fantastic attitude, he wants to get better, he’s humble, he works really hard and I think he’ll be one to keep an eye on. 

“Hunter Hannaford could have been playing colts this season. He was a big surprise packet this year, particularly for a player of his size. He more than holds his own in defence and has a lot of upside.”