West Coast fans hope the ochre is a good omen while others loathe its Eagles return

West Coast supporters are overwhelmingly in favour of the Eagles bringing back one of their most infamous guernseys, though not everyone is happy with the ochre’s return.

In a social media poll conducted by PerthNow, footy fans overwhelmingly voted in favour of the ochre’s return, with 506 votes in favour compared to 125 against.

In the hours after the Eagles announced the jumper would return in next month’s Gather Round clash against Geelong, the short-sleeve version of the guernsey sold out in a handful of hours for those fans who signed up for early access.

Many welcomed the ochre’s return, hoping it could be a good omen, given the rebuild undertaken in the early 2000s when they last wore it resulted in back-to-back grand finals and the 2006 premiership.

“It wasn’t a successful era??? We were building then like we’re building now… Bring it on,” Scott Mackenzie wrote.

“Not my favourite. However, this was a dark time that within 3-4 years has turned around to back-to-back grand finals and a premiership. Could be good timing,” Dennis Preston said.

“So bad it’s good. Love it. Unsuccessful era yes, but after it came two grand finals and a premiership,” Luke Johnston wrote.

2006 Norm Smith medallist Andrew Embley was hoping the current Eagles can follow a similar path.

“There’s a really good young group coming through, like we did back in 2001 and 2002,” he said.

“It takes a little bit of time, but I’m sure if these guys stick together, keep buying in, and if the group can keep working really hard, then you never know how quickly they can turn it around, and obviously we saw that on the weekend how good they were.”

For some the guernsey also appears to be following the 20-year rule in fashion, where once-loathed or outdated designs suddenly come back into style.

“Somehow it looks better now than it did in the early 2000’s. A big yes from me,” Alan Burke said.

“I can’t believe supporters are actually sooking about these one of the best jumpers in the league,” Riley MacPherson concurred.

“Personally, I think it’s the best-looking jumper,” Bosh Jonra said.

However, many traditionalists did not like the abandonment of the West Coast’s blue & gold.

“Not a fan. Looks like the Adelaide Crows jumper,” Maria Gianopulos wrote.

“Nope, Blue and Gold are our colours,” Shaun Lane commented.

“We donned it the lolly wrapper. Bought it for my West Coast mate to ever remind him of one of history’s worst,” Jared Ponting said.

“Hate it with a passion that I normally save for Docker supporters,” Keith Halnan wrote.

Others were against the guernsey due to it being associated with a poor era for West Coast, with stats revealing a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 14 losses while donning the ochre.

“Worst jumper in history…reminds me of the Ken judge days,” Will Eddy said.

“That was the WORST jumper the club has ever worn on the field of play,” Nathan O’Byrne commented.

“From memory, we weren’t that great when we played in this jumper. It wasn’t that great then, and I still feel the same way about it now. Archive it forever!,” JP Lo said.

West Coast will wear the retro colours for their Gather Round clash against Geelong at Norwood Oval on Sunday April 12.