As one star retires, another is born

As one wizard’s career comes to a close, a star emerges from the rubble of Fremantle’s 2008 season. Jeff Farmer was arguable the best small forward that Western Australia has ever produced and, despite what ignorant people might say, he was a team player to the very end.

He was grateful to both his former clubs, Fremantle and Melbourne, for the opportunity to play AFL.

He played 249 games of football, at times sublime, at times wasteful, but never forgettable. From an entertainment point of view, Farmer never disappointed.

His first game wearing a Fremantle jumper was a scratch match against Collingwood, and the excitement in the crowd at what was to come was palpable.

It is fitting then that his final game was also against the Pies. And he kicked three goals, two of them with a difficulty rating of nine, and passed off a few others.

In total, he kicked 483 goals, considerably more than any other Aboriginal player.

Many respected commentators have subsequently questioned his omission from the Indigenous Team of the Century.

While many media types have sniped at Farmer behind the safety of a microphone, the true Fremantle fan knows Farmer as a team player – fiercely loyal, and always willing to sign a jumper or show a cheeky grin.

As Farmer retires, Frematle welcomes Rhy Palmer into illustrious company in winning the NAB AFL Rising Star. Palmer declared at the start of the year that he would have been happy to have just played five games.

He is the sort of player that supporters love to watch. His evasion skills are incredible, and his ability to win possession is invaluable.