Magabala Books
9781922864642|Sept 8, 2026|RRP $17.99
We have already established that I am not an AFL aficionado and it has been a very slow (and relatively minimal) learning curve. That being said, it’s hard to believe that I don’t recollect that I have ever heard this name before and that sort of surprises me but not really. Sort of because Graham”Polly” Farmer is reckoned the best AFL player of all time but not really, arguably, because he was First Nations – and those are the names that can slip by due to more highly visible and lighter coloured players.
This new children’s biography is based on Steve Hawke’s 1994 bio, Polly Farmer [second hand copies still available] and the first in a new series “Legends” from Magabala. After reading about this man’s achievements and the legacy he left, especially the Polly Farmer Foundation, we can easily visualise how proud he would be of his contribution not just to football but to Indigenous young people.
Now his inspirational story will reach many more young readers, and that in turn will, I have no doubt, prompt even more to ‘follow the dream’ whatever that might look like for each individual.
At less than 100 pages and written simply with lots of great fun facts and photos, even the less keen readers will pick this up and enjoy it greatly. Whether they are footy fans, First Nations or WA kids, perhaps just simply interested in famous people, there’s something here for every reader.
I know I feel somewhat ashamed that I didn’t know his name but I defer to my lifelong NRL adherence and my generally scant knowledge of any other code. That being said, I am super glad that I have learned his story and now know about his extraordinary athleticism, his enduring revolutionary changes to the game, his ongoing success as an outstanding inspirational figure for his people, both adults and kids and his commitment to giving back in the best way he could.
I would have loved to have known him because he sounds like a true champion in every sense of the word. Get this one on your shelves and certainly get it in the hands of young readers. Perfect for a First Chapter Friday session or as a shared read for your class as well as independent reading.
I highly recommend it with a 5 🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉rating for kiddos from around 9 years upwards.
Leave a Reply