'Those were the days': Goldthorpe's perfect Pirates of 06-08

The glory days: Noosa legend Noel Goldthorpe looks back on Pirates famous triple-peat

Noosa legend Noel Goldthorpe recalls the "glory days” of the Pirates' famous three-peat. Picture: FILE

IN SUNSHINE Coast Rugby League's centenary year, there's only a handful of teams who've stood above the pack.

In recent years even less so.

This year we celebrate the memorable premiership wins, the larger than life characters, the local legends.

Included in the Daily today is a special pull-out magazine, featuring every Coast club and its history.

Last week we touched on the inaugural years of the Maroochydore Swans, how they began as the Massie Maulers.

For the Noosa Pirates, the glory days of 2006-08's triple treat was truly special, the celebrations even more so.

Noel Goldthorpe and the Noosa Pirates celebrate lifting the competition trophy in 2008, after defeating the Caboolture Snakes 16 to 8. Picture: Jason Dougherty

It all started with the recruitment of one man.

Noel Goldthorpe's time in Noosa was supposed to be a relaxing one.

His NRL career as a journeyman had ended a few years back and he was happy in retirement.

He had no intention of strapping up, not at 35.

The naysayers said he was "too old, too slow".

It was 2005 when he joined the Pirates - halfway through the season - but his impact was immediate.

While the diminutive half guided the Tewantin-based side to the grand final - it was ultimately his arm, a swinging one, that cost the Pirates a premiership.

"We were going really well but bombed a few tries. Then the ref sent me and Nambour smashed us up," the ever-cheeky Goldthorpe said.

"Afterwards I told the ref he ruined the game, in nastier words than that I can tell you.

"He was the Bill Harrigan of referees in my opinion."

Tireless Pirates backrower Russell Britten makes a break downfield. Picture: Nicholas Falconer

But Noosa's decade-long drought wouldn't have to wait long, for what Goldthorpe calls the "glory years".

For the 2006 season, was blessed to have two club stalwarts in Greg Christensen and Russell Britten laying the platform.

"I could just pull the strings," he said.

"Those two bookends were absolutely rock solid. We had a good mix of youth and older heads and they were so important.

"The first year we won it was bloody crazy, the clubhouse went off. It was massive.

"That first one was so good for the club, we were all stoked."

Noosa's Greg Christensen is attacked by Nambour's defence in their match at Nambour. Picture: Lou O'Brien

Goldthorpe got some of his NRL mates on board - in Wayne Bartrim and Julian O'Neill - and a dynasty began.

"It really added interest to the league I think. And the crowds were phenomenal, there was so much spice."

2007's undefeated year was arguably the greatest year in Pirates history.

That same year he famously blood a young hooker by the name of Jake Friend, and farewell club legends Darryl Fitzgerald and Christensen.

"I stayed quiet about going undefeated before the final but we won easy in the end, our fitness was so good," he said.

"I knew we had the skill to get the results and the players bought in.

"No one whinged about training so hard, and we would finish over the top of teams.

"They were such great years."