Black and Gold West End Chimney

By ZAC MILBANK

It wasn’t the first time Glenelg’s colours were unveiled at the new West End Chimney at Thebarton’s Brickworks.

But two years after appearing as the inaugural runner-up at the time-honoured tradition’s new location, the Tigers were on top much to the delight of the Brighton Road faithful.

Adorning the West End Chimney for the fifth occasion since the highly-respected tradition began in 1954, the Bays were still well-and-truly in celebration mode after their 24-point win against Sturt in the Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Bays premiership coach Darren Reeves was soaking up the enormity of what he achieved in his first year at the helm after steering Glenelg to its sixth flag.

And the New South Welshman was gushing about the South Australian tradition of the colours of the winning SANFL premiership side being painted on top of the iconic landmark on South 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 and now being decommissioned at the end of 2020.

Located in Thebarton, The Brickworks Kiln was constructed in 1913 and restored in 2016 by the West Torrens Council.

It stands adjacent to the Brickworks Marketplace, and is the last of the Hoffmann-style kilns still standing in Australia.