2020 West End Chimney Ceremony Replay

4 years ago – October 19, 2020

By ZAC MILBANK

It’s been nearly a decade since gold, green and blue was wrapped around the top of the famous West End Chimney.

And for the first time, Eagles fans saw their team’s colours unveiled via a Live Stream on SANFL’s Facebook page.

Due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, supporters couldn’t attend the West End Brewery’s traditional ceremony at Thebarton but there’s plenty to see on the replay below.

Woodville-West Torrens last adorned the top of the West End Chimney in 2011, nine years before Sunday’s 39-point Statewide Super League Grand Final win against North Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

In a tradition dating back more than six decades, the colours of the winning SANFL premiership side are painted on top of the iconic landmark on Port Road.

Port Adelaide great Fos Williams played a significant role in establishing the annual ritual which began in 1954 when he coached the Magpies to a hard-fought three-point win against West Adelaide in the SANFL Grand Final at Adelaide Oval.

To recognise the Bloods’ gallant effort, Williams suggested that a red stripe be painted underneath Port’s black and white colours to acknowledge the runner-up.

As a result, the tradition of painting both Grand Final teams’ colours on the West End Chimney remains despite the Brewery changing location from Hindley Street to Port Road in 1982.

Standing around 25 metres high, the Chimney has been layered with more than 1200 litres of paint since the tradition began 66 years ago.