The Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) is mourning the passing of our esteemed Member, Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer who has passed away in Perth, aged 84, after a long period of poor health.

Farmer was an inaugural Inductee into The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985, and in 1996 was one of the original Legends Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. That same year he was named the No.1 Ruckman in the AFL’s Team of the Century.

SAHOF Chairman John Bertrand AO said; “Polly was a trailblazer for indigenous players in Australian Sport and a true icon of his beloved Aussie Rules. From such humble beginnings, to success at the highest level, he changed the face of football and will forever be remembered as the Ruckman that all aspired to. Polly will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with the Farmer family.”

Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer MBE – Australian Football

Perth born Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer was one of the finest players and most effective ruckmen to ever play Australian football, becoming a legend of the game in both Victoria and his native Western Australia.

In a playing career crossing three decades, Farmer played 356 senior games at both VFL and WAFL level. His first outing was as an 18 year-old ruckman in 1953 for East Perth, and his last in grand final victory in 1971 for West Perth. In between, he dominated the game at its highest level as arguably the VFL’s, dominant ruckman in his time with Geelong.