Heartbreaking detail in photos of Shane Warne's son at funeral
Shane Warne's son Jackson was seen holding a cricket ball and a golf club in a heartbreaking tribute to his late father at his funeral in Melbourne on Sunday.
Warne's family and friends bid the cricket legend farewell at a private funeral after his tragic death in Thailand at the age of 52.
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Warne's three children (Jackson, Brooke and Summer), ex-wife Simone Callahan, and parents Keith and Brigette were joined by about 80 guests to say their final goodbyes at St Kilda Football Club.
The gathering featured a who's who of the cricketing world, with retired Australian Test captains Mark Taylor, Allan Border and Michael Clarke attending along with former England skipper Michael Vaughan.
Bowling greats Merv Hughes and Glenn McGrath and long time Warne teammates Mark Waugh and Ian Healy were also in attendance.
Guests were invited to wear St Kilda scarves and a pair of them were draped across Warne's coffin as it was driven around the oval to the sound of the 1970s Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes hit 'The Time of My Life'.
The lap of honour was immediately followed by a champagne toast.
Jackson Warne could be seen clutching a white cricket ball and a golf club before planting a heartbreaking kiss on his father's coffin.
Close friend Eddie McGuire delivered the eulogy and was MC for the service, which was held in Moorabbin in recognition of Warne's lifelong association with the St Kilda Football Club.
“The reason why he was so loved is because he was fallible, he was Superman," McGuire said.
"You threw the ball to Warne, you sat in that Southern Stand and he did the things you dreamt of doing as a kid.
“He had the hat trick, took 700 wickets, the Gatting ball, he did everything.
“He did the things like 'wow, I wonder what it would be like to be a playboy in London society'.
“The magic part about Shane Warne was that he sprinkled his gold dust everywhere he went.
“He didn’t become a hermit, he brought his friends into everything in life.”
Tina Turner's anthem 'Simply the Best', which made the popular accolade a household phrase, was then played to a round of applause.
Heartbreaking scenes as Shane Warne's family and closest friends leave his funeral service with his shattered son Jackson clutching a cricket ball after kissing his coffin in tearful farewell to an Aussie legend
via https://t.co/1EAkejioZW https://t.co/YoPGsyvCWY— Robert Jobson (@theroyaleditor) March 20, 2022
It’s still so hard to believe he has gone, but what a mark he has left. In so many ways he was the greatest.
But the love and pride he felt for his three children Brooke, Jackson and Summer dwarfed everything else.
My heart goes out to them.
https://t.co/BxSBjbzjtY— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) March 20, 2022
So sad watching Shane Warne's kids & ex wife following his hearse in his final lap today. 😢 😢
— Lily 🇦🇺 (@LilytheP1nk) March 20, 2022
Shane Warne to be farewelled in public memorial service
Warne died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai resort island of Koh Samui on March 4.
A state memorial will take place at the MCG on March 30, where the wider public will be able to pay their respects.
The ground's Great Southern Stand will also be renamed in Warne's honour.
The cricketing legend's death little more than two weeks ago led to an outpouring of grief from people around the world, as well as those closer to home.
St Kilda Cricket Club coach Glenn Lalor told AAP on Saturday of his time playing with Warne in the early 2000s.
"Every time Shane was available he would love coming back and playing with us, which was great," Mr Lalor said.
"The boys appreciated playing with a legend.
"He was just an everyday bloke that just wanted to be around and enjoy the day. He was never hard to deal with, he was always fun."
with AAP
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