West Coast brought back the banner. Now another big change is being ‘considered and discussed’

The banner mightn’t be the only key return at the West Coast Eagles this year, with the club considering reverting back to its original club theme song.

The Eagles on the weekend confirmed they would bring back the banner for home games in 2024, meaning they’ll ditch the inflatable tunnel players have run through since the club’s move to Optus Stadium in 2018.

Now new West Coast chief executive Don Pyke has suggested the song could be the next big gameday change.

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It comes after a strong push from fans online to go back to the initial version of ‘We’re Flying High’ after using a re-worked club song for the past four seasons.

Speaking to The West Australian, Pyke hinted a return to playing the club’s original song was being “considered and discussed”.

The Eagles in 2020 released an updated version of the club song, which was written, composed and produced by Birds of Tokyo’s Ian Berney, with the band’s lead singer Ian Kenny recorded singing the melody. The song included two fresh verses to go with the original chorus, while the most significant instrumental difference was in the song’s introduction, which featured a didgeridoo and clapsticks – an AFL club song first – to recognise the club’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.

Then-Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett in 2020 said after a tweak of logo and club colours in 2017, a move to Optus Stadium in 2018 and a shift of training bases in 2019, it was an appropriate time to review the club song.

But after confirmation of the pivot back to the club banner, Eagles fans are also keen to see the club’s original theme song return.

Pyke announced the banner’s return at the Eagles’ fan day on the weekend, telling supporters it was driven by a desire to connect the club with the community.

“We see the banner as part of the culture and match day experience for fans and having heard the views of many members and fans in the last few years it’s coming back,” Pyke said.

“We see other opportunities to connect with our cheer squad and community groups who will be utilised to make and present the banner on match days and also have input into the message on it.”

Pyke said club legend Nic Naitanui, who helped make the announcement, was instrumental in the change.