Australian Football Hall of Fame legend Graham 'Polly' Farmer has died aged 84.

The Western Australian forged a spectacular career in the WAFL before and after a successful stint with Geelong in the VFL.

In the video above: Footy greats pay tribute to Polly

One of the greatest ruckmen of all time, Farmer was named in the AFL Team of the Century in 1996 and as captain of the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005.

His achievements include five WAFL flags - three with East Perth and two with West Perth - as well as one VFL premiership with the Cats.

Perhaps the strongest argument for Farmer's legacy among the greats of the game, however, is how he changed football with his ruck craft and handball skills.

A three-time Sandover medallist and 10-time club best and fairest, he went on to coach Geelong and both West Perth and East Perth before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease more than 20 years ago.

The West Australian reports Farmer died in hospital surrounded by his family.

"We have just shared our last precious moments with our dear dad and grandfather," daughter Kim told the newspaper.

"It’s been an amazing life shared with a beautiful man. We will miss him."

Farmer's wife of 58 years, Marlene, passed away in 2015.

A sign of his greatness lives on in Perth with the Graham Farmer Freeway, named after the footballer when it opened in 2000 to connect West Perth with Burswood.

He will be offered a state funeral.

Football pays tribute to Polly

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan paid tribute to Farmer - "one of the elite dozen players in our game's history" - on Wednesday afternoon.

"Beyond football, as a proud Noongar man, he was a leader for the Aboriginal community and his standing in the game and in society enabled people to believe that they too could reach the peaks and achieve their best potential," he said in a statement.

"He laid the path for so many great footballers from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to come into the elite levels of the game and showcase their skills.

"At every point of his career, his teams found success on the field, thanks largely to his dominance that built a record that few players could ever hope to match."

In the video below: Polly Farmer's career in pictures

Arguably Australia's greatest footballer has died aged 84. Take a look through Graham "Polly" Farmer's life in these West Australian photos taken over 50 years.

VFL premiership player and revered commentator Rex Hunt made his debut in league football the year after Farmer left Victoria to return home to Perth.

But Hunt was able to witness Farmer's exploits as a fan in the outer.

“I can still remember being a young kid and seeing the clashes of Polly Farmer and John Nicholls,” Rex Hunt said.

"It was back when rucking was a real art and he was a master at it.”

Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett tweeted a heartfelt tribute: