GRAHAM 'Polly' Farmer has been farewelled during a celebration of the Australian football great's remarkable life at a moving state funeral held at Optus Stadium.

More than 1000 mourners attended the Monday morning service overlooking Perth's Swan River, near to the freeway and 'Polly Pipe' tunnel named in his honour.

Farmer passed away aged 84 on August 14 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Credited for changing the way Australian Rules was played with his revolutionary handball skills, Farmer transcended the sport and was an inaugural Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

He played for bitter rivals East Perth and West Perth, either side of his career at Geelong, while also representing Victoria and his native state.

"Everyone that had Polly in their team was proud to have him," master of ceremonies Russell Woolf said.

"We are happy to share Polly. Who (else) has the power to bring rivals together in that way?"

Farmer was a member of six premiership sides, won 10 best and fairests, and was named lead ruckman in the AFL, Geelong, East Perth, West Perth and Indigenous teams of the century.

During his final days in hospital, his family were grateful for numerous chances to say goodbye, with daughter Kim revealing it was as though he needed to hear "the final siren before leaving the field".

She whispered Farmer's football statistics in his ear as he held on, reminding him he had achieved everything he wanted to.

Some of her earliest memories were of being at the football "getting crushed in the crowd" by people wanting his autograph.

Farmer was just the second WA sports person to be honoured with a state funeral after Olympic champion Shirley de la Hunty in 2004.

Among those paying their respects were AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, commentary doyen Dennis Cometti, WA governor Kim Beazley and premier Mark McGowan.

Fremantle Football Club's No.1 ticketholder Dr Richard Walley performed the Welcome to Country, and spoke glowingly of a proud Noongar man who brought people from all walks of life together.

A strong proponent of the importance of education, Farmer's legacy goes beyond football.

He set up a foundation in the 1990s to support Indigenous school children, with thousands benefiting from his generous spirit.

"He said we've got to help young Aboriginal people succeed," foundation vice-president Fred Chaney told the gathering.

"That was his only goal.

"He didn't want this foundation for himself, he wanted it for the coming generations."

Those wishing to make a contribution to The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation can do so at www.pff.com.au.

Farmer poses for the camera during his Geelong days.