Tributes flow for AFL/VFL legend Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer
Football icon Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer has died.
He was arguably the greatest ruckman to ever play Australian Rules Football.
Farmer was named in the AFL’s Team Of The Century in 1996 and is officially a Legend in the Australian Football Hall Of Fame.
He was also named as captain of the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005.
He was 84 and had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Rex Hunt, who played under Farmer when he was coach of Geelong in the 1970s, paid tribute to his former mentor on 3AW.
“I can still remember being a young kid and seeing the clashes of Polly Farmer and John Nicholls,” Rex Hunt said.
“It was back when rucking was a real art and he was a master at it.”
The AFL released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, mourning his death.
“When discussing ruckmen, every player who saw him play or took the field against him, deferred to Polly,” AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said.
“Our game has always started in the centre square, with a contest between two big men, and Polly was the greatest of all the big men who seek to set the standard of competitiveness for their teams, lead from the front at every contest and compel their team mates to match their skills and commitment in the pursuit of victory.
“Beyond football, as a proud Noongar man, he was a leader for the Aboriginal community and his standing in the game and in society enabled his people to believe that they too could reach the peaks and achieve their best potential.
“He laid the path for so many great footballers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to come into the elite levels of the game and showcase their skills.
“At every point of his career, his teams found success on the field, thanks largely to his dominance that built a record that few players could ever hope to match.”
Click PLAY below to hear more on 3AW
PICTURE: Getty Images