West Coast Eagles song: Club officially brings back old anthem with unveiling ahead of season opener

West Coast fans have sung the praises of the club restoring its old anthem, with the Eagles unveiling the long-touted switch as the team ran out for Sunday’s season opener.

In the minutes before bouncedown at Optus Stadium, the club confirmed the return of the ‘We’re Flying High’ song that featured until the end of 2019 after heeding the advice of supporters in a fan poll over summer.

The back-to-the-future move drew a rousing response from the blue-and-gold army as the players took to the field to take on Gold Coast.

It spells the end of the Birds of Tokyo-inspired version that was in place for five seasons from 2020, coinciding with the club’s worst-ever stretch of on-field results.

“I respect and appreciate that the song was changed with good intentions to reflect the new era at Optus Stadium, and we thank those involved in that process, however there is clearly a deep connection to the previous song which holds a special meaning for our members and fans,” Eagles chief executive Don Pyke said.

The move follows a similar about-face on the decision to replace the banner at home games with an inflatable Eagle-head tunnel from 2018, with the banner restored last year.

And like the banner, the chance to sing the old tune was welcomed with open arms by Eagles diehards.

“Way better that’s what I grew up with... the other one sucked,” fan Matt Hamilton told The West Australian.

“I voted to bring it back - we had to. It’s a step in the right direction, 100 per cent, We’re coming back!”

It was a sentiment shared by many in the healthy Sunday crowd.

“I’m so excited they’re bringing it back. I voted to bring it back and I hope we’ll be singing it today loud and proud,” Fanny Prentice said.

“Thank God for that! It’s absolutely fantastic and today is definitely a win,” Brett Chappell concurred.

Long-time members Kaye Seeber and Lyn Keeffe said it felt like the club was reclaiming it’s past.

“It’s excellent they are bringing it back because that’s our beginnings and our history. We’ll go mad when we sing it today,” Ms Seeber said.

West Coast made reference to their revised song choice with their banner, which read: “We’ve got some fresh faces, brought back some things, with ‘Mini’ McQualter, our next chapter begins.”

Gold Coast also had a cheeky pre-emptive dig with their own banner.

“Our Suns are fearless, lets start on the right track. We’ll take down the Eagles even with their old song back.”