Polly Farmer Shield

WAFL rivals East Perth Football Club and West Perth Football Club will compete for the 2nd Annual Polly Farmer Shield this Saturday, 18th of August at Leederville Oval to recognise and celebrate Farmer’s success as one of the greatest players at each club.

The Shield was struck to allow both clubs and WA Football to celebrate one of the greatest footballers of all time. Polly's daughter Kim Farmer will be on hand to present the shield to the winning captain of Saturday's clash.

Whist many people know of how great Polly was as a player, few know of his legacy continuing through the Polly Farmer Foundation. Polly remains a patron of the Foundation and his daughter Kim is a member of the board and a long-term supporter of the Foundation’s work.

Established in Polly’s honour, the Foundation has over 20 years’ experience and success in empowering Aboriginal students in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory to complete school and move into successful post-school pathways, including university, apprenticeships, traineeships, and direct employment.

The first program commenced in Karratha in 1997 with 23 students. Today, there are over 1800 students enrolled in 45 primary and secondary programs around Australia. 

Students participating in the programs are encouraged to aim high:

School attendance rate is 88% (vs 67% for all Aboriginal students), attainment rate is an impressive 90%, and students are up to 60% more likely to achieve a WACE (than other Aboriginal students).

In 2017, 35% of students went to university, 25% moved into direct employment, 20% commenced an apprenticeship or traineeship, and 8% started at TAFE.

The Foundation has built long-term, trusted relationships with major government and industry partners, including the WA Department of Education, the Australian Government Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet, Rio Tinto, BHP, and Woodside.

Get down to Leederville Oval tomorrow to cheer on the Mighty Royals as we look to secure a finals berth and help us celebrate our greatest player. The clash will also be live on Channel 7 from 3.00pm.

Graham (Polly) Vivian Farmer

D.O.B: 10th March 1935
Games: 392: East Perth 176 - Geelong 101- West Perth 69 - WA 31 - Vic 5
Premierships: East Perth 1956, 58-59 - Geelong 1963 - West Perth 1969, 71

Honours: Sandover Meal 1956-57, 60, WA Football Hall of Fame legend; AFL Hall of Fame legend; Equal second BrownlowMedal 1963; fairest and best East Perth 1954-57, 59-61, Geelong 1963-64, West Perth 1969; member 1961 carnival team; All-Australian 1956, 58, 61; Tassie Medal 1956; Simpson Medal 1956 (WA v SA), 58 (WA v Victoria), 59 (WAFL grand final); coach West Perth 1968-71, Geelong 1973-75, East Perth 1976-77; WA captain six times, coach six times; First West Australian awarded MBE for services to football 1970

Of more than 10,000 league footballers in WA’s rich history, Graham “Polly” Farmer sits head and shoulders above the pack.  In 1996 the Australian Football League bestowed legend status on 12 champions in the inaugural Australian Football Hall of Fame.  Farmer was one of them.  The same year he was named ruckman in the AFL’s team of the century, the only West Australian to get a guernsey.

It is widely considered that the title of best player of all time is a toss-up between Farmer and Hawthorn legend Leigh Matthews. Both could single-handedly turn a game.

The only accolade to elude Farmer was the Brownlow Medal. More than just a champion player, he changed the game. His trademark handball revolutionized the ruck.

In the 1950’s he was the power behind East Perth’s six-year domination of WA football. Arch rival, Carlton’s John Nicholls, described him as the best ruckman he had ever played against.  Another Victorian great, Ron Barassi, said “He is dedicated to the elimination of error.”

Farmer returned to WA as captain-coach of West Perth in 1968 and the following year he had one of his best seasons, despite being 34. He was runner-up in the Sandover Medal, won West Perth’s fairest and best award and led the club to a premiership.