HUNDREDS of Western Australians have gathered at Optus Stadium for a state memorial to formally honour football legend John Todd, who passed away on 4 June at the age of 86.

Manjimup-born John Todd was a highly influential figure who made an outstanding contribution to football across both WAFL and AFL.

His decades of service and leadership had an impact across the WA community.

Todd played 132 senior games for the South Fremantle Bulldogs and 13 games for WA.

He was a member of the State team that won the 1961 national carnival.

He forever etched his name into WA football folklore when he edged out fellow WA champ Graham “Polly” Farmer for the 1955 Sandover Medal aged just 17.

Injury cut short his playing career, but it didn’t stop his passion for the game - he would become one of the WAFL’s greatest coaches.

He went on to coach South Fremantle, East Fremantle and Swan Districts, winning six WAFL premierships.

He was appointed senior coach of the West Coast Eagles in 1988 and led them to their inaugural finals campaign that same year.

His coaching career spanned a total of more than 700 games.

A well-respected member of the football community and a footy icon Todd was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2003 and made a legend in the WA Hall of Fame in 2004.

As well as the state memorial service, the state government has also formally honoured the legacy of Todd by naming a function space at Optus Stadium in his honour.

The John Todd coaches’ room will be used by many people including the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers.

The unveiling of the John Todd coaches’ room complements a state government-funded memorial match that was held in Todd’s honour on Saturday, June 15 between Swan Districts and South Fremantle.