AFL premiership cup tour stops in Geraldton and Exmouth ahead of Perth grand final

A piece of silverware turned the people of the Mid West and Gascoyne starry-eyed, with one of the most prized trophies in Australia touring regional WA and attracting a conga line of fans.

The 2021 AFL premiership cup was in Exmouth last week, visiting the Exmouth Eagles Junior Football Club’s Auskick session.

One of the young participants was Nathaniel Farmer, the great-grandson of AFL legend Graham “Polly” Farmer.

Leaving Exmouth on its way to Geraldton, the cup was snapped at the stunning Vlamingh Lighthouse in the Cape Range National Park. In Geraldton on Sunday, the cup was a special guest at the Great Northern Football League’s grand final day at WA Country Builders Stadium in Wonthella, where the league, reserves and colts deciders were played. People lined up to get selfies, as two-time Geelong premiership star and Northampton recruit Harry Taylor acted as the local cup ambassador, giving fans a rare opportunity to have a close look at the trophy.

“I don’t think people quite understand how lucky we are to have the grand final and to be having the cup,” Taylor said.

“It’s probably not going to do a tour of the State ever again.”

The cup is in Kalgoorlie today and will visit Manjimup and Margaret River before it heads back to Perth ahead of the historic grand final at Optus Stadium on September 25.

Geraldton photographer Tamati Smith has been following the cup, capturing the tour for the AFL.