SA Footy

Australian Football Hall of Fame legend Graham 'Polly' Farmer has died aged 84.

The Western Australian forged a spectacular career in the WAFL before and after a successful stint with Geelong in the VFL.

One of the greatest ruckmen of all time, Farmer was named in the AFL Team of the Century in 1996 and as captain of the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005.

His achievements include five WAFL flags - three with East Perth and two with West Perth - as well as one VFL premiership with the Cats.

Perhaps the strongest argument for Farmer's legacy among the greats of the game, however, is how he changed football with his ruck craft and handball skills.

A three-time Sandover medallist, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 24 years ago.

The West Australian reports Farmer died in hospital surrounded by his family.

"We have just shared our last precious moments with our dear dad and grandfather," daughter Kim told the newspaper.

"It’s been an amazing life shared with a beautiful man. We will miss him."

Vale Polly Farmer.

Farmer, an inaugural Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame, was named in the AFL's team of the century and captain of the Indigenous team of the century. But it was his pioneering use of handball - and the dramatic impact he had on bringing other players into the game - that stood him apart as a footballer. His ruckwork revolutionised the game in WA and then at Geelong, where he was the cornerstone of the Cats' 1963 premiership.

He played 101 games for the Cats, crossing to the club from East Perth amid enormous fanfare in 1962, having won three Sandover Medals in WA before he came to Victoria.

He won best and fairests with the Cats in their premiership year of 1963 and again in 1964. All told, he played 356 senior games when combining his WAFL and VFL games at East Perth, Geelong and West Coast.

He coached the Cats from 1973 to 1975 and was the first Indigenous senior coach in the AFL, also coaching East Perth and West Perth.

GRAHAM 'POLLY' FARMER'S FOOTBALL RECORD
Australian Football Hall of Fame, inaugural Legend of the game (one of 12).

Played 176 games for East Perth 1953-61, kicking 157 goals.

Played 101 games for Geelong 1962-67, kicking 65 goals.

Played 79 games for West Perth 1968-71, kicking 55 goals.

Played 31 games for Western Australia, kicking 19 goals.

Played six games for Victoria, kicking six goals.

East Perth best and fairest 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961.

Geelong best and fairest 1963, 1964.

West Perth best and fairest 1969.

Sandover Medal 1956, 1957, 1960.

Simpson Medal 1959.

East Perth premiership 1956, 1958, 1959.

Geelong premiership 1963.

West Perth premiership 1969, 1971 (both as playing coach).

All-Australian 1956, 1958, 1961.

AFL Team of the Century (first ruck).

Indigenous Team of the Century (first ruck, captain).

Geelong Team of the Century (first ruck).

West Perth Team of the Century (first ruck).

East Perth Post-War Team of the Century (first ruck).

West Perth coach 1968-71 for premierships in 1969 and 1971.

Geelong coach 1973-75.

East Perth coach 1976-77.

That is an impressive cabinet.

That's one thing I wish - to be born earlier and see Farmer, Coleman and in a cricketing sense, Bradman in their prime. Obvioulsy footage doesn't do Farmer justice simply because there isn't enough of it.

These guys revolutionised their respective games.

RIP Polly


Like gadj, which i had witnessed the great ruckman at his craft

RIP Polly

Was great listening to Newman on 360

Most people here I reckon would have grown up with stories of Polly such was his legend. Looked an unbelievable player and is so universally admired