Paul Kemp with daughter Grace as she embarked on her footy career at a young age. Grace before Origin l. Graham ‘Polly’ Thurkettle in a beautiful photo capturing the essence of the man. Photos by the Kemp family, NRL and Thurkettle family.

Harden lost a legend this week with well-known Rugby League and Rugby Union player Graham ‘Polly’ Thurkettle laid to rest at the lawn cemetery at Harden.

Polly as he was known was from the old school, a fierce competitor who didn’t take a backward step and who was renowned for relishing the rough stuff in a distinguished career across the two codes. 

Although there was approximately 60 years in age difference between Polly and our very own Wallaroo and NSW Origin star Grace Kemp, Polly a former fencing contractor had a softer side, mixed with the harsh realities of what he thought about up and coming players. He told you what you were doing right or wrong in any aspect of the game. It was his way and it paid dividends. It was these words from the sideline yelled above the crowd or spoken softly after that were helpful. If he thought you needed it, he told where and when he thought best. Always with Harden’s interests at heart.

Polly could see the potential in Grace from a young age and he straight out told her she was on the slow side of things in the running department. He didn’t mince words. But he had sound advice and backed it up. He wanted her to work on her sprinting skills and to raise her knees higher. This was two fold. She needed to increase her speed at a young age and he also knew that she was growing in to a robust forward who would be able to handle the rigours of the toughest sporting cauldron in the world. Grace has proven that she can do that and it was a set of track shoes with small studs to lighten the load on her feet as she worked on her agility which he gifted upon her.

Grace is a dynamic Prop with great strength, speed and stride length. She runs just the way Polly would have intended it. 

More than 500 people attended Polly’s funeral on Monday, likely the biggest in the twin towns of Harden-Murrumburrah for a long time. He cut across social divides and was loved by many and respected by many.

Polly’s decision to help a young girl work on her speed is just one of many occasions where he saw potential and fostered it.

He banged posts in by hand as a fencing contractor and kept doing so even after newer technology made it easier. Polly enjoyed a hard days work and the physicality of it, just like Grace does. He was probably as quick using the old methods. Grace will do Polly, her family, her town, club and state proud tonight.

What else could we expect of her? She knew one of the best well and as always as shown throughout her career, Grace listened. She listened to one of the greats and is on her way to being a great. 

The town of Harden-Murrumburrah is behind you Grace and you can expect that the footy gods will be watching as well. 

 

Story by 

Matthew Stadtmiller

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