Now that awful pun is out of the way, let us explain.
After years of effort and it looking like the opportunity had slipped away again, the Whalers will make their debut in the premiership when they host the defending champions the Akarana Falcons.
They had sought promotion to the top flight through the regulation method — by winning the second-tier national championship tournament.
They made the championship final but it proved a one-side event. They were outclassed by the Auckland Vulcans, losing 48-10.
But New Zealand Rugby League has tinkered with the structure of the tournament and the Whalers accepted an invitation to play in the premiership.
It shapes as a big occasion for league in the region. The step up is "huge" and, in all likelihood, the Whalers will struggle.
They are missing some key personnel which does not help. More on that soon.
But coach David Reedy said the team mantra this season was "effort and attitude".
"Our main goal is to be competitive and just rip in.
"We’ve got nothing to lose," Reedy said.
"The boys have been given a licence just to play football.
"What we want to do is just put our best foot forward."
All the premier games are broadcast live and the Whalers have two games at Forsyth Barr Stadium. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase rugby league in the region and that bigger-picture view is in sharp focus for the Whalers.
The buildup could have been longer. Reedy is not complaining, though.
The club season was compressed into one round so the Whalers would have some time to prepare.
That has meant some of the players are short on game time.
"It [the preparation] was as good as we could have. But the boys have been training well and the excitement levels are high. That has been the good part about it."
There are some key absences.
Massive prop Israel Otunuku and wily half Mackenzie Haugh opted to play rugby union for the Otago development side.
Both were instrumental in the Whalers’ campaign last season.
Otunuku’s ability to bust tackles and hit the ball up will be sorely missed, an Haugh’s vision and kicking game are a big loss.
But there is still a solid crew of players who are committed to performing as well as they can.
"The team is quite determined and we’ve got a bit more size this year. But it will be our edges that will be the strong part.
Tofatuimoana Solia was a terror for the Whalers out wide last season and Otago will lean on him to create chaos again.
Veteran Southern Magpies No 8 Mika Mafi will be charged with hitting the ball up in the middle of the park and Jordan McEntee will carry the load Haugh formerly hauled.
NZRL premiership
FB Stadium, tomorrow, noon
Otago Whalers: Tama Apineru, Opeti Tuimana, Keenan Masina, Tofatuimoana Solia, Layne Opetaia, Louis Tili, Jordan McEntee, Mika Mafi, Tonga Nau, Benjamin Latu, Solomon Pole, Misinale Fifita, Hagan Free, Troy Anstiss, Ma’ole Faletolu, Michael Strydom, Matthew Vocea, Eli Ellison.
Akarana Falcons: Viliame Cerei, Zion Tanielu Seiuli, Josh Tanielu, Lani Graham-Taufa, Soaki Taufa, Lorenzo Filimaua, Hawaiiki Annandale, Lopini Kioa, Blake Collins-Kamuhemu, Herman Retzlaff, Samuel Waterworth, Jeremiah Schuster, Shaun Tempest, Emmanuel Cerei, Isaiah Sofa, Michael Lemafa, Sione Latu Ngahe, Beau Cordtz.
