 Melrose was appointed as co-coach of the previously struggling West Harbour club in 2001, and achieved an immediate improvement with the team reaching the play-offs in both 2001 and 2002.He was named as the NSW Premier Rugby ‘Coach of the Year’ in 2002.Melrose was recruited by Manly RUFC as Head Coach for the 2003 season, and again improved his team's position (from 10th in 2002) to reach the play-offs in 2003 and 2004.