Vale Jimmy Wright

I’m sad to announce the passing of Life Member, ‘61 Premiership player & Hall of Famer, club great Jimmy Wright.
Jim passed away peacefully 11:30 last night, 18th June, 2020.

He was an energetic, bustling rover who formed a noteworthy roving alliance with Colin Brown in West Adelaide’s excellent teams of the 1950s. Probably best remembered as the player whose shot hit the goal post during the dying seconds of the 1954 Grand Final, which Port Adelaide ended up winning by three points. Jimmy is undoubtedly worthy of a rather more glowing testimonial. He played 208 league games for West between 1952 and 1964, kicking the highly creditable total of 360 goals. During that time he played in a club record six Grand Finals, and was the club’s top goal kicker on three occasions 1955, 58 & 59. He kicked more goals for West Adelaide than any other rover in the clubs history. Jim represented South Australia three times.

Jimmy along with Ken Eglinton started the West Adelaide Football Club Past Player & Officials in the mid 1950s to give an opportunity for people who had represented the club a place to meet & relive their time at the Bloods. His pride & joy was the dusty old shed in the middle of the club car park that he, along with wife Helen, would clean out before every home game. They would serve West End long necks before the game, at half time & after home games, along with party pies. It became known as the best place to meet up with old team mates & rivals at any SANFL ground. The shed may have gone but his Past Players social club still survives today.

The West Adelaide Past Players & Officials would like to thank Jimmy for his dedication over 65 years of service & convey our deepest condolences to Helen & the Wright family.

Bernie Conlen
WAFC Past Players & Officials President.