3 minute read

Legendary AFL footballer Graham "Polly" Farmer will be farewelled at a state funeral in Perth, the WA premier has annouced.

Graham "Polly" Farmer, Australian rules football's greatest-ever ruckman and the first indigenous coach in VFL/AFL history, will be farewelled at a state funeral at Perth's Optus Stadium.

Farmer died on Wednesday after a 20-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 84.

"Graham 'Polly' Farmer was an iconic Western Australian. From tough beginnings, he rose to become one of the greatest football players in the game," WA Premier Mark McGowan said in a statement on Saturday.

"It is fitting that we honour Polly and his legacy with a state funeral service."

The funeral will be held on August 26 at 11am AWST, with members of the public invited to attend.

It will also be broadcast on television, radio and online.

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to make a donation to the Graham "Polly" Farmer Foundation, an educational program for Aboriginal youth that operates around Australia.