Cricketing legend Shane Warne has been farewelled by his closest friends and family in a private ceremony at the grounds of his favourite footy club.
Around 80 gathered at St Kilda Football Club on Sunday, with guests encouraged to don St Kilda scarves in honour of Warne’s lifelong association with the club.
The service ended with a final lap for Warnie around the Moorabbin Oval, the homeground of The Saints AFL team, to the Dirty Dancing hit (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life. Warne’s hearse, also decorated with footy scarves, was followed by a small group, including his three children Brooke, Jackson and Summer, and his parents Keith and Brigitte.
As the hearse left the arena, Tina Turner’s Simply the Best played and attendees applauded.
Attendees raised their glasses to Warnie, who died aged 52 of a heart attack in early March. Image: Getty Images
Eddie Maguire, the event’s MC and Warnie’s close friend, asked that everyone raise their glasses to the cricketer after his coffin toured the ground.
Other guests included cricketing stars Mark Taylor, Glenn Maxwell, Michael Vaughn and Glenn McGrath, as well as businessman James Packer and AFL identities Sam Newman and Aaron Hamill.
Coldplay’s sombre tune Fix You was played during the service, as well as an original piece the band’s frontman Chris Martin wrote for Warne, titled Eulogy.
The private service comes just under two weeks before thousands are expected to arrive at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Warne’s state funeral on March 30.
Image: Getty Images
This article first appeared on OverSixty.