Official Magazine of Fremantle Football Club fremantlefc.com.au

The Wiz – Twelve Spells
Father and son, after the game
sporting code, how private can private time really be?
“You will be the only person that limits what you
can do,” Jeff says.
“No matter what, if you are in the public eye
people recognise you and want to approach you to
talk to you, get an autograph or a photo.
“You have got to take it as part and parcel of who
you are and what you do.
“There are times when you are out with your
family that you just like to have family time to
enjoy each others’ company and what you are doing.
“It does get tough at times but in the end it is
something you just have to deal with.
“I find people are very understanding and
accepting of what you want to do,” says Jeff.
With two young sons, Melbourne and Fremantle
will be no doubt vying for father-son selection in a
few years time. Both clubs would have the ability to
select, but what would dad say to his sons becoming
footballers?
“I was lucky enough to have my parents support
me and help me along the way with what I wanted
to do and I plan to do the exact same thing,”
says Jeff.
“I don’t want to force my kids to do something
they don’t want to do so whatever they are happy
doing I will be there to support them.
“If the boys decide they want to play football
then I will give then 100 per cent support along the
way at whatever level they play.
“If they decide that they want to do something
other than football I will be there to support them
just as much,” says Jeff.
Whilst Jeff prefers the quiet life away from
the club, he is a tremendous contributor to the
community. In 2005 he joined with Troy Cook to
be Ambassadors for the Cerebral Palsy Association,
a role that both players took very seriously and one
which Jeff will do so again in 2006.
“I absolutely love doing charity work,” says Jeff.
“My work at Cerebral Palsy is a great
opportunity not only to give something back to
the community but more importantly to raise
awareness of this unfortunate disability.
“There is no pre-birth test for Cerebral Palsy and
there is no cure so the more that we can do to raise
awareness by using our profile the better.
“I am blessed with three healthy children so I just
want to help in any way I can,” says Jeff.
In fact giving back is something that is very
important to the Wiz. Together with Antoni Grover
and Des Headland, Jeff is completing a Department
of Health certified course to work in Drug and
Alcohol rehabilitation and counselling.
“After footy I want to get out and help – give
something back – we can’t change the world but we
can make a difference and that’s what I want to do.
But with another 81 games under his belt and
127 goals against his name, Jeff now sits one game
away from the 200 game milestone and 14 goals
short of the 400 goal mark.
“I am proud to be who I am, what I am, and where
I came from and I never forget that,” says Jeff.
“To be the eighth indigenous player to reach the
200 games, wow – it’s hard to see it as reality at
the moment.
“To achieve a milestone like that is just
something I will never forget,” says Jeff.
These milestones mean a tremendous amount
to a very proud indigenous Australian. Make no
mistake, Jeff Farmer is a proud man.
“Being proud of your heritage or culture is very
important to everyone not just indigenous people,”
says Jeff.
“It gives you a sense of belonging, a place
of comfort.
It is that sense of belonging that shows through
in Jeff’s upbringing in an environment of respect
and love. When Jeff crosses that white line, with his
family in the stands giving their total support, the
man named the Wizard is committed to winning,
is a fierce competitor and is hungry for success for
Fremantle. His focus is acute and will play hard and
tough towards ensuring a team victory.
“For two hours you are constantly being
challenged either mentally or physically,” Jeff says.
“There are times when you will be challenged
by an opposition player in a show of strength, and
it is important not to show any weakness or be
intimidated.
“Sometimes you have to try and find an edge, but
it is a very fine line.
“Over the years I have become smarter,
concentrating on what I am out there to do and that
is play footy,” Jeff said.
But rest assured if that fine line is crossed, it is
not the coach he will worry about. It will be a few
stern words from Mum and Dad.
fremantlefc.com.au April 2006 Docker 11