• John Todd’s family accepts Cook Labor Government offer to hold State Memorial Service for legend of Australian football
• State Government to support John Todd Memorial Match between Swan Districts Football Club and South Fremantle Football Club on Saturday, 15 June
• Highly decorated and admired player and coach passed away on Tuesday, 4 June 2024 aged 86

Premier Roger Cook has formally offered the family of Western Australian legend John Todd a State Memorial Service in his honour.

The much-loved former footballer passed away this week, following a celebrated career as a player and coach.

John Todd was one of WA’s most decorated football icons, with accolades including the AFL Hall of Fame, WA Hall of Fame (Legend), South Fremantle Hall of Fame (Legend), and South Fremantle and Swan Districts Life Memberships.

In his debut WAFL season, he was awarded the 1955 Sandover Medal at just 17 years of age, edging out fellow WA football legend Graham “Polly” Farmer.

He went on to play a total of 132 games for the South Fremantle Bulldogs. He also played 13 games for Western Australia and was a member of the WA team that won the 1961 national carnival.

Injury cruelly cut short John Todd’s playing career but it couldn’t stop his passion for the game, successfully transitioning to one of the WAFL’s greatest coaches.

He was also the first Western Australian to coach 700 senior games, including six WAFL premierships, and served two years as the senior coach of the West Coast Eagles.

In 2003, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Tributes for the titan of the game continue to pour in, as his legacy as one of the all-time greats is secured.

The State Memorial Service will be held a later date, with details to be confirmed.

The WA Government will also support the John Todd Memorial Match between Swan Districts Football Club and South Fremantle Football Club on Saturday, 15 June at Steel Blue Oval.

As stated by Premier Roger Cook:

“John Todd is a name that is synonymous with football in Western Australia.

“It takes a special player to win the Sandover Medal in his debut season as a 17-year-old and when injury cruelly ended John Todd’s playing career, he rose to become one of the greatest coaches our State and our nation has ever seen.

“John Todd was one of the most influential figures in WA football. He was tough and uncompromising, but he had a love for the game of football that’s left a lasting impact on so many lives.

“Whoever you barrack for, he was a leader and a motivator whose legacy extends across generations a prominent Western Australian who did our State proud.

“A State Memorial Service will be a fitting opportunity for our community to come together to honour and celebrate a truly remarkable life that had an impact on so many people right across WA.”

As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:

“I was fortunate to meet John Todd on a number of occasions and he was the real deal – a salt of the earth, true football legend who lived and breathed the game.

“His contribution to the sport cannot be overstated, and I am so pleased that the WA Government is offering to support the memorial match in honour of his memory.

“My thoughts are with his family at this time.”