Warnie, the cricketer, star and fan, would have loved it.

Here, he felt like a gladiator in a coliseum. He was here in the stand in 1982, when Australia almost sneaked an impossible victory.

He was here in 1991, just another fan with bogan curls, when the national team manager warned him off the pies and beer in his grasp – Warne was about to be picked for Australia for the first time.

Warne described the MCG as his second home. It hosted the biggest crowds. He called it “the greatest showpiece”. He always performed best in front of heaving fans.

“It’s what he would have wanted,” his father Keith said on Wednesday, before Warne’s memorial extravaganza.

Son Jackson Warne said there was no better venue to farewell the cricketer and mate to Melburnians, Victorians, Australians and people from around the world.

Warne had seen the ground change over the years. But he couldn’t be here when one of the biggest MCG changes took place.

The Shane Warne Stand was unveiled in a blaze of lights, a permanent tribute to a sporting great, to go alongside the statue outside the ground.

Jackson Warne said his father deserved an MCG send-off, saying that the privilege of being able to sit down at the MCG forever in “Dad’s stand” is “pretty special”.

From 5pm on Wednesday, fans started turning up. Some, as requested, were splotched green and gold, at odds with the sobriety of the private service for Warne 10 days earlier.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison rushed from budget duties in Canberra to nestle among cricket fans at home in Bay 13.

“My message to … Shane’s family is thank you,” he said beforehand.

“Thank you for sharing Shane with all of us.”

They came to celebrate a life led – and at times misled.

Eddie McGuire touted the MCG Shane Warne memorial as one of the greatest events in the city’s history.

Certainly, the banks of TV news crews doing live crosses near Warne’s statue are usually reserved for a grand final.

“AB was just over there,” a fan said, amid the hushed awe at the statue’s base. “But I didn’t want to hassle him today.”

Warne’s greatest moments were here – a hat-trick, his 700th Test wicket, the adoration of homegrown punters who if they did not know Warne, knew someone who did, who said Warne was a top bloke.

The outpouring for Warne compares with the send-off of his friend Michael Gudinski, a year earlier, when Ed Sheeran and Kylie Minogue farewelled their friend at Melbourne Park.

For numbers, it compared with Victoria’s first state funeral – for fallen explorers Burke and Wills – in 1863, when 40,000 people were said to throng four city blocks. Warne’s undoubted bigness in death owes something to pranksters, who in 1995, hoodwinked then premier Jeff Kennett into staging a state funeral for footy legend Ted Whitten.

We can reach back to 1931 for another historical comparison.

Sir John Monash’s state funeral was said to attract 300,000 mourners. Like Warne, Monash, the war hero and civic visionary, was adored as a kind of outsider to the established way.

Unlike Warne, Monash didn’t get an MCG stand named after him.

Warne, the sporting rock star, attracted the kind of international support that few, if any, other Australians could conjure.

Actual rock stars, Warne’s mates such as Ed and Elton, who once said he would choose to be Warne if he could be anyone else, gave dedicated performances for their friend.

Warne’s walking buddy Chris Martin from Coldplay performed The Eulogy, an instrumental piece he first sent for Warne’s private service on March 20.

Robbie Williams could have picked from a line of hits to sing about Warne: Let Me Entertain You, Better Man, No Regrets, Sexed Up.

He filmed a special song from Switzerland after agreeing to a request from Erica Packer, former wife of billionaire James. Warne’s memorial hijacked the traditional media frenzy after the federal budget.

Breakfast news programs televised from the MCG on Wednesday morning. All free-to-air TV stations broadcast the memorial – or what McGuire kept calling a concert – live. Brooke, Jackson and Summer, spoke about the man whose proudest achievement was being their dad.

Mates Russ (Crowe) and Hugh (Jackman) were here, along with Minogues, Greg Norman and another St Kilda tragic, Eric Bana.

A minute’s silence preceded the event’s beginning.

One panel chat included Australian captains Mark Taylor and Allan Border, as well as the batsman Warne considered hardest to dismiss, Brian Lara.

Another panel chat, hosted by Andy Lee, included actor Glenn Robbins, who faced Warne in secret net sessions when Warne was banned from the game.

Warne’s close mate, former St Kilda player Aaron Hamill had said that Warne would have approved of the turnout (if not the lack of alcohol being served). Hamill believed that Warne would be looking down, “probably with a dart in his hand, and he’d be very grateful”.

Greta Bradman, granddaughter of Sir Donald, sang the national anthem. She said beforehand her grandfather had a “massive soft spot” for Warne, partly because Warne was so “unashamedly himself”.

Jackson said his father loved to perform in front of a crowd. We wouldn’t “see another Shane Warne or a Dad like him”.

9:15PM JACKSON WARNE’S TRIBUTE TO HIS FATHER

Jackson Warne has thanked his father for the fun times they shared for always wanting what was best for him.

“You were the best dad anyone could have asked for and you were mine, and my best friend.

“Time with you went way too fast, it just feels like yesterday that we were looking at each other’s cards playing poker, eating pizza and cheering on a multi while watching the Saints.

“I’m never going to forget how much fun we had doing just simple things, grocery shopping, watching a movie or going for walks during lockdown.

“We didn’t have to do much for us to be happy together, life was easy and peaceful with you. “You never pressured me into playing cricket and all you ever wanted for me was to be happy.

“You watched me for hours and hours building Lego, you would play super smash with me even though it was impossible for you to win. We would play Monopoly and you would do deals with me just to give me a chance to win.

“We were both so happy. In one of the first games of cricket I ever played you told me, just go out there and have fun, because when you’re happy, good things will happen.

“That was the mindset I had for that game and I ended up taking a hat-trick and it was a moment I would never forget – you were so proud of me. Although I didn’t go down the cricket path, you didn’t mind. You just wanted the best for me.”

9:00PM: ‘YOU SAVED ME, DAD’: SUMMER’S EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE

Shane Warne’s daughter Summer has delivered an emotional tribute to her father, opening up on how Shane helped her through some of the darkest moments of her life.

Summer thanked her dad for “saving her” and showing her how to “fall in love with life again.”

“When I was struggling, and I didn’t know how to go on with life because I was dealing with my own demons, you showed me how I could fall in love with life again.

“You told me that I could either live with these demons or fight with them and come out stronger at the end.

“You saved me, Dad. You truly did.

“You truly did have a golden heart, Dad.

“Your endless advice is something I’m going to forever miss. You would always know the right thing to say and something that was so special about our relationship is that I could come to you with anything and not feel judged.

“You would just simply sit there and listen whilst feeling so safe in your presence. You always wanted to be around us and that is something I took for granted.

“Thinking that you were always going to be around … I really am going to miss you Dad.

“It has been exactly 26 days since you went to heaven and I miss you more than anything in the whole world.

“I would do anything just to have one more of your cuddles and to hear your voice tell me how proud of me you were and how much you loved me.

“I never thought one’s voice could bring such comfort until I could no longer hear it.”

8:50PM: ‘I HOPE SOMEONE HAS IMPOUNDED HIS PHONE’

Football legend Sam Newman opened up about his years of playing high-stakes games of golf with Shane Warne.

“I would have put a beach wing on his new house down the coast (losing money betting on golf games),” Newman said.

“The greatest fun I had playing golf with him was arguing about handicaps before we even hit off. He said to me once, he said we’re playing off the same mark.

“I said, ‘No, we’re not. You’re about six handicap lower than me. Par St Andrews, had a hole in one at Augusta’.”

“He said, ‘You used to play off two.’

“I said, “Yes, in 1985 I did.

“We fought. It was one of the great joys of playing with him.”

Newman said Warne was most at ease on the golf course with his mates.

“I hope someone has impounded his phone. No-one can see what was on it. We were treated to a cavalcade of incredible pictures and a round of golf in 4.5 hours.

“Extraordinary. For an old pensioner like me, I tell you what, it was heart-wrenching.”

8:30PM: HOW WARNIE’S VENEERS CAME BACK TO BITE HIM

Anyone who watched Shane Warne on Fox Cricket knew one thing in particular about Warnie – he loved the TV show Peaky Blinders.

Warne frequently wore a hat in commentary that was inspired by the show.

But as St Kilda legend Aaron Hamill revealed, not everyone was a big fan.

“He was committed but it (the hat) was horrendous,” Hamill joked.

“And his great brother, we had a good chuckle about it.”

But Warne’s love for Peaky Blinders didn’t stop there. He was determined to make a guest appearance on the show.

“He said, ‘I’ve sent off an email to the producers of Peaky Blinders.’,” Hamill explained.

“He was a binge Netflix watcher. He loved it. He was teed up to be on Suits at one point. He didn’t stop there.

“Off he sent the email – ‘I’d love to be part of your show. I’m a keen viewer.’

“So he did all that and he rang back and said, ‘I got the email back.’ I said, ‘please, read it out to me’.

“Dear Shane, thanks very much. We love your enthusiasm, but unfortunately porcelain veneers weren’t around in Birmingham in 1931. But we love your support. Thank you very much.

“But that’s what he was like. He was ambitious. He was driven. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

8:05PM: JAMES PACKER’S TRIBUTE TO WARNE

“The news of Shane Warne’s passing has shocked and confounded us all. I’m deeply saddened and still coming to terms with it.

“My family was blessed to have Shane in our lives. He brought us so much warmth, happiness and joy.

“Before I got to know Shane he was a dear friend of my father, Kerry, or KP as Shane called him.

“He adored him and loved him as a person and Shane adored Dad.

“They both loved cricket, they loved to smoke and a bet as well. For Dad, one of his most touching moments was when Shane presented him with his own Baggy Green cap, there’s no greater honour in Australian cricket.

“Friendship doesn’t get better than that. While Shane will be remembered for his exploits, I’ll remember him as a hero, a friend, a man who was brilliant, vulnerable, lovely and fiercely loyal.

“I could sneak a smoke with him, listen to music and share stories, our successes and failures.

“He was wickedly funny, cheerful and fearless, he was so very human. I’ll miss those hugs forever.

“Shane brightened the world and brought joy to so many.

“Today we celebrate his life and ponder why the universe took him from us so soon.

“My deepest condolences to the Warne family.

“Rest in peace, my friend. We have lost your sunshine way too soon.”

7:50PM: MY HEART IS BROKEN. MY SOUL IS CRUSHED

Shane Warne’s Victorian teammate Darren Berry has described the Spin King as his “brother”.

“So many big moments on the field but the little moments off the field I’ll cherish most of all,” he said.

“Sitting on the team bus singing Aussie Crawl or Springsteen.

“Telling you to slow down in our cars, buying cigarettes so you could capitalise at Duty Free, our love and passion for the St Kilda footy club and the thousands of text messages we exchanged.

“Being alongside you as the inaugural winners of the IPL. So many fond memories, mate.

“My heart is broken. My soul is crushed. I miss you, mate. And I love you Shane, you were my brother.”

7:40PM: WARNIE THE ‘DEAD SET BOGAN’

How is this for a tough task? Describe Shane Warne using just one word.

That is what Fox Cricket presenter Mark Howard greeted a panel of Alan Border, Mark Taylor, Merv Hughes, Nasser Hussain and Brian Lara with at the MCG.

The panel were all very complimentary of the spin GOAT, with words like genius, genuine, entertainer and king used.

But Hughes wasn’t going to settle for that for one of his great mates.

“Bogan,” Hughes said.

Before following up his comment with – “dead set bogan.”

7:20PM KEITH WARNE’S EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO SHANE

Shane Warne’s father Keith has delivered an emotional tribute to his son.

Keith described living in a world without Shane as “inconceivable” and said he was thankful his son was able to touch so many lives and bring joy to so many people.

“Friday March 4, 2022, (the) darkest day in our family’s life,” Keith said.

“It was a day that our son, Shane Keith Warne, was tragically and suddenly taken from us. Our family’s loss of a loved son, a loving brother to Jason and a devoted father to Brooke, Jackson and Summer.

“And the world lost a much-loved cricketing legend whose feats on and off the cricket field will go down in history for all time.

“Looking forward to a future without Shane is inconceivable.

“We do take comfort in knowing that Shane packed more in his life of 52 years, five months and 19 days than most people would in two lifetimes.

“Shane loved life and lived for sport.

“When he was younger, our role as parents were always centred around getting him to training and wherever he was playing, whether it was playing athletics, basketball, tennis, football or cricket.

“We marvelled at his hand eye co-ordination and his natural talent was tempering his will to win at any cost.”

7:00PM SPINE-TINGLING MOMENT BEGINS WARNIE FAREWELL

Shane Warne’s MCG farewell has begun with a minute silence taking place at the MCG.

A huge crowd has gathered to honour the King of Spin – but you could hear a pin drop inside the biggest stadium in Australia.

After a short tribute video, the crowd broke out into a ‘Warnie’ chant.

This is his ground, his people and they are all here to honour his legacy.

5:55PM WHY WARNIE WAS SO SPECIAL

Olivia Jenkins

Mourners gathered outside the MCG from about 5pm and placed VB beer cans and flowers at the foot of Shane Warne’s statue.

Some patrons became emotional as they walked through the growing crowd, while fans also snapped pictures next to the depiction of the cricket legend.

Others donned T-shirts signed with Warne’s autograph or his face printed on the front.

Kellie Carter-Bell teared up as she held a picture of Warne under her arm.

Ms Carter-Bell donned a knee-length black leather skirt to highlight her newly completed thigh tattoo of Warne, which she had done on Friday last week.

She said it was comforting to be surrounded by tens of thousands of other fans honouring the cricket legend as she walked through the grounds with her young son and daughter.

“There are thousands of us here to say goodbye. People of all walks of life have come to send him off for an immeasurable number of reasons. It is nice that we can support one another,” she said.

5:45PM LEE STILL STUNNED AT MATE’S DEATH

Ben Horne

Test great Brett Lee said it was impossible to believe Shane Warne was gone, but remembering him at the MCG tonight alongside friends and fans would help ease the pain.

A cavalcade of ex-teammates, former Test opponents, celebrities and Fox Cricket colleagues were set to turn up with the masses at the MCG for a memorable occasion the likes of which Australia may never see again.

Lee – a long-time former teammate of Warne told News Corp the experience was bittersweet as he turned up at the MCG to pay tribute to his mate and an Australian icon.

“It still hasn’t sunk in even though it was a number of weeks ago, it still doesn’t feel real,” Lee told News Corp.

“I’m hearing and reading things that tonight is going to be a celebration which it will be, but it’s also hard to say that when you try to celebrate someone’s life but they only reach 52 years of age.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

5:05PM SIGNIFICANT EMOTION

Eddie McGuire, tonight’s master of ceremonies has spoken about what people can expect tonight.

It’s going to get emotional by all accounts.

“The family and children haven’t spoken in public, they will tonight. The outpouring of emotion is going to be quite significant.

“Chris Martin has written a piece called the Eulogy, then there’s Elton and Ed Sheeran. Let's not kid ourselves, this was the world champion of scallywag.

“Somebody described it as Glastonbury meets the biggest sports night ever.

“Warnie sprinkled his gold dust everywhere.”

4:40PM WHY WARNE WOULDN’T, COULDN’T CAPTAIN AUSTRALIA

It is the question cricket fans around the world have always wanted answered.

What would an Australian Test side look like with Shane Warne as captain?

The Spin King always wanted to be given the top job but was overlooked for Ricky Ponting in 2003.

By the time Ponting stepped aside in 2011, Warne had retired.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor had no doubts Warne would have been a fine tactical captain.

But there was one issue that he may have struggled with.

“There is no doubt the on-field stuff would not have been a problem for Warnie,” Taylor said on Channel 9.

“I think he did 10 or 11 games of one day cricket for 10 or 11 wins. The guys would have rallied around him.

“The off-field stuff might have been a little bit of an issue for Warnie.

“The job of Australian captain, it has grown to greater and greater exposure as the decades have gone on.

“That might have been an issue for him.

“I think tactically and technically there wouldn’t have been a problem with Shane Warne as captain of the Australian cricket team.”

4PM PAT CUMMINS IN POETIC TRIBUTE

Pat Cummins has released a moving tribute to Shane Warne.

The Australian Test captain has previously spoken about how he grew up idolising the king of spin and that he would always be an “all-time great” of the game.

Just hours before the Warne memorial service at the MCG, Cummins read out a tribute poem, which was written by journalist Adam Burnett.

“He was just a bloke – extraordinary – but fallible and flawed,” Cummins read.

“It meant he felt like one of us, made him all the more adored

“Which is why he’s left us grappling, left the cricket world defeated,

“From Launceston to the Long Room, we’ve all been left depleted

“But flip that thought and think instead how enriched we are by Warne,

“Let’s salute a pure entertainer – the greatest bowler ever born.”

2:45PM WARNIE’S SON

His son, Jackson, said there was “no other better place in the whole world” to hold the memorial than the MCG where Warne made so many memories, including a hat-trick in an Ashes Test against England and taking his 700th Test wicket.

“It’s very special for a lot of us, especially our family,” he told Australian media.

“We’ve been lucky enough to come here (to the MCG) our whole lives and watch him play and put lots of hard work in on this very ground.

“Dad always loved a crowd, putting on a performance … I think, sad day as it is, with more people here it won’t be as sad,” he added.

Warne’s father Keith said he had been touched by so many people offering their support and he was grateful that his son’s life could be celebrated on such a big stage.

“It’s what he would’ve wanted, to make sure everybody who can be involved is involved and we’ve been very fortunate to have a state funeral to allow us to do that,” he said.

2PM WHAT WE KNOW

The night will begin with Eddie McGuire acting as MC and the national anthem performed by Don Bradman’s granddaughter Greta Bradman.

Warne’s father Keith and his three children Brooke, 24, Jackson 22, and Summer, 20, will all speak at the event.

A panel of cricket greats will give their memories of the spin king including former Australian captains Mark Taylor and Allan Border.

There will be musical performances woven between the panels and speeches with Anthony Callea to sing the family’s favourite songs.

Jon Stevens will perform live Warne’s favourite INXS and Noiseworks tunes.

Actors Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Eric Bana along with Kylie and Dannii Minogue will give smaller tributes alongside international cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram, Sir Ian Botham, Nasser Hussain and Stephen Fleming.

A star-studded line-up of guests appearing from overseas will be headlined by Robbie Williams, Elton John and Ed Sheeran.

1:30PM MARK TAYLOR TRIBUTE

Tonight is about celebrating Warnie, according to his former captain Mark Taylor who also attended the private funeral 10 days ago.

At the funeral there was Mark Waugh, Glenn McGrath, Merv Hughes, Allan Border, Brendon Julian, and it was great to catch up and have a beer, but we were all very sad on the day,” he said.

“Listening to the family say their goodbyes, it was as emotional as I’ve been for a long time, seeing Warnie’s coffin and the realisation that we’re not going to see or hear from him again.

“It was a poignant moment, and in a way I’m glad to have been there to say goodbye to him, so for me tonight is more about a celebration of his life.

“I’ve had the chance to say my goodbyes already, so tonight is more celebratory.”

Taylor added that Warnie was a perfect example of a true friend.

“He was one of those guys who befriended the bloke down the road, but also the superstars of the world,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.

“As we’ve seen in recent weeks, those superstars were just mates of Warnie’s, I don’t think he necessarily gravitated towards them, they were just like-minded, and they were as appreciative of Warnie as a friend, as he was of them.

“I think that’s what friendship is all about.”

1PM DRESS CODE AT THE G

The Warne family have urged mourners turn up to the memorial – dressed in their favourite cricket gear – be it replicas of Warne’s No. 23 ODI shirt, or their own cricket whites.

More than 51,000 free tickets have been snapped up for the two-hour service, which starts at 7:00pm after a minute’s silence.

Those attending have been urged to wear their cricket kits.

“This is going to be one of the great events in the history of the city in this country in many ways, a tribute to a champion,” said television presenter, former Australian rules football player and Warne friend Eddie McGuire, who will host the event.

12:30PM STAND TRIBUTE UNVEILED

A stand at the famous MCG is to be named after Warne, who in the eyes of many is second only to legendary batsman Don Bradman in Australia’s long list of sporting greats.

“Shane Warne’s family members will speak about their beloved father, son and brother before the night concludes, with Mr Warne’s children formally unveiling the MCG stand named in honour of Mr Warne,” the Victorian government said.

“In recognition of Mr Warne’s achievements and legacy, his family have requested that public attendees come to the state memorial dressed in their cricket gear.” Elton John, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran will sing “dedicated songs” to Warne, said McGuire. They are expected to appear remotely by video.

WHO IS COMING?

Cricketing greats Brian Lara, Nasser Hussain and Wasim Akram are among an array of sports stars joining the service, too, he said. Australian media said the trio would be in Melbourne.

Warne’s former partner, the British actress Hurley, is not expected to attend but will reportedly feature in the service.

Credited with reviving the art of leg spin, Warne took 708 Test wickets as part of a dominant Australian Test team in the 1990s and 2000s before becoming a respected commentator.

Before the state service in his memory, Warne’s family, friends and teammates mourned him at a private funeral on March 20