Date revealed for WAFL and AFL coach John Todd State memorial at Optus Stadium

The State memorial service for WA footy great John Todd will be held on August 21. The Cook Government announced the date on Saturday, saying some of the biggest names in football would gather at Optus Stadium to honour the Sandover Medallist and legendary WAFL and AFL coach. “You can’t talk about footy in Western Australia without the name John Todd,” Premier Roger Cook said. “As a player, John Todd thrilled fans until his playing career was cruelly cut short by injury, but he defied his body to become one of this nation’s greatest coaches, leaving an indelible mark on generations of Australians brought together by their love of our great game. “It is therefore fitting that the State honours the sporting icon with a special memorial and there’s no better place to formalise this honour than WA’s iconic home of football Optus Stadium — a place where John Todd’s name will live on for years to come. “Who can forget the emotional scenes we witnessed when the State farewelled Polly Farmer — I expect we’ll see a similar outpouring of respect for John Todd.” Todd died aged 86 in June. He etched himself into footy folklore when he won a Sandover Medal at the tender age of 17, but a crippling knee injury cut short his playing days, afterwards turning his attention to coaching. He was the first Western Australian to coach 700 senior games, winning six WAFL premierships across three teams — East Fremantle, South Fremantle and Swan Districts. He also coached West Coast, steering the Eagles to their first finals appearance in 1988, and in 2003, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. The memorial is expected to draw football figures from across the generations who will detail the influence the great man had in their lives. Mr Cook will also address the crowd at Optus on behalf of the State. The day will also include a ceremony to formalise the sporting icon’s legacy at Optus Stadium with the John Todd Coaches’ Room to be named in his honour. It is a premium function space positioned between the two coaches boxes. Mr Cook said, fittingly, it would serve as a space to foster connection and celebrate achievements, symbolic of the values Todd instilled in the players and teams that he coached. The State memorial service will begin at 10.30am and entry will be via gate D from 9am. Family, friends, representatives of affiliated organisations and members of the public are welcome to attend. Those who wish to attend will be required to register by August 14 at www.wa.gov.au/johntodd “Whoever you barrack for, we can all agree John Todd will always hold a special place in football in this State, which is why I encourage footy fans from across WA to travel to Optus Stadium on August 21 to celebrate an inspiring Western Australian,” Mr Cook said.