Shane Warne death: Son Jackson and daughter Brooke join Saints’ tribute
Shane Warne’s son and daughter took part in a special tribute to their dad during St Kilda’s first match of the season. SEE PHOTOS.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The grieving son and daughter of late cricketer Shane Warne have joined his father’s beloved Saints during the AFL club’s special tribute to the spin king on Friday night.
Jackson and Brooke Warne received a warm reception at Marvel Stadium as the club geared up for its first match of the AFL season against Collingwood.
The pair were welcomed onto the field just before kick-off at 7.50pm, with son Jackson performing the coin toss in honour of his late father.
As they geared up for their clash, Saints players wore commemorative warm-up tops with WARNE 23 - his playing number - emblazoned on the back instead of their usual numbers.
Every player on the field wore black armbands to commemorate the cricketing legend.
Saints fans say it was a fitting send-off for the cricketing great.
“Obviously being a great Saints fan like him, it is great to see him honoured that way,” supporter Mitch Sim said.
“He had probably a greater impact around the club than anyone actually first thought.”
Long time Saints fan Julie Kienhuis said it was an appropriate tribute due to Warne’s deep connections with the club.
“I think it is a really good idea to do something because he was such a passionate supporter of the club,” she said.
“He always wanted to be a St Kilda footballer but didn’t quite cut it.”
At half time a special photo and video remembrance montage will be played on the giant screen to honour the cricketing great.
The pre-game honours initially didn’t go to plan, with the 23-year-old having to toss the coin a second time before the game could commence.
Sister Brooke was smiling as her brother, who was wearing a Saints scarf, threw the coin for the second time.
Before the clash, the Saints took to social media to acknowledge they would wear the Warne 23 jerseys “in honour of the King.”
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat gave a heartfelt tribute to Warne, saying he hoped to honour the cricket great’s legacy and friendship with club success.
Bassat said Warne was a loyal Saints supporter and family man who was a “big hearted guy”.
“Shane and I met about 14 or 15 years ago at a wedding overseas. We got chatting, we were talking about the club and other things, he said as soon as we get back I’ll invite you to one of my poker games.
“I learnt very quickly a lot of things about Shane. Firstly why he was so successful and it was exactly what you saw on the cricket field. He was extraordinarily competitive and extremely intelligent and a formidable foe.
“I got to see how strong he was, how resilient he was to get through some challenges and some controversies he faced. The sort of thing (that was) beyond every other man, he just kept getting back up and kept going. Those who were lucky enough to spend time with him, would understand why he will be so missed.”
Saints’ captain Jack Steele this week told News Corp the players were proud to be part of the tribute.
“Warnie was a great Saints man who loved this footy club,” Steele said.
“It’s a privilege to be able to represent Shane on-field and I hope we do him, and all Saints fans proud.”
St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis said the match would give Warne’s legion of fans an opportunity to pay their respects to his legacy and undying devotion to the Saints.
“Shane was a mate to many, a brilliant father, an icon to a nation and a beloved member of the Saints family,” he said.
“We’re proud to be able to provide a platform for Saints people to pay their respects, while also enjoying the footy, just like Shane would have wanted.”
Warne played under-19s and one reserves game at St Kilda, where he was incorrectly listed as Trevor Warne in the Footy Record.
He was often in the stands watching the Saints and was close friends with some players.
Warne would follow the matches from overseas, often texting friends about holding the ball or tribunal decisions.
He had said his rejection at St Kilda fuelled his desire to become arguably the world’s best spin bowler.
Warne’s family visited the statue erected outside the MCG this week, which has been flooded with flowers as fans pour out their hearts.
Jackson posted a photograph at the statue this week on his Instagram page.
He also put up photographs of himself as a child with his father.
“Memories of dad. Thank you everyone for the overwhelming amount of support, messages and love,” he said.
Warne’s other children Brooke and Summer were likely to attend the round one match, along with his parents Brigitte and Keith, however, only Jackson was confirmed as involved in the official tributes.
A private family funeral will be held on Sunday, with a state memorial scheduled for the MCG on March 30 at 7pm.
Warne died of a heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand on March 4. He was 52.
stephen.drill@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Shane Warne death: Son Jackson and daughter Brooke join Saints’ tribute
‘Blowhard’: Cornes backlash turns prickly
Kane Cornes has been roasted by a high profile colleague over comments that have left NRL commentators in disbelief.
Ginnivan leaves ‘heartbroken’ kids ‘in tears’
Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan is embroiled in a fresh controversy after angry parents exposed a move that left their children shattered.