Sam Newman shares hilarious anecdote at Shane Warne memorial

Sam Newman collected one of the biggest laughs at the MCG as tens of thousands gathered to send off Shane Warne.

Sam Newman collected one of the biggest laughs at the MCG on Wednesday as thousands of fans gathered to mourn the passing of Shane Warne.

Fox Sports host Mark Howard said Warne’s son, Jackson, told him to “just have fun” on the night commemorating the legendary leg-spinner, saying it’s “what Dad would have wanted”.

A flood of hilarious anecdotes from former players and friends followed, with former teammate Merv Hughes describing him as a “deadset bogan”.

Warne’s loveable charm kept him in the headlines for years on end, with comments on his dalliance with Advanced Hair Studio never far away.

Eddie McGuire and Sam Newman shared golfing tales with Warne, with Newman admitting he lost a few bucks on wager matches over the years.

“I think we just heard from Shane then. He was trying to blow your hair off your head. He‘s going to go, ‘I’m going to get Sam if it takes me forever’,” McGuire said, referring to the wind howling through the MCG.

“Mind you, it is my own hair,” Newman responded.

Newman went on to describe the times Shane Warne took him zipping around in a sports car, describing the experience as “Shane training to be a Formula 1 driver”.

Andy Lee, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Aaron Hamill, Sam Newman and Glenn Robbins spoke at length at the state memorial service for Shane Warne

Shane Warne wasn’t shy about his association with Advanced Hair.

Later, after joking about Warne starring in a pasta sauce advert in Italy, in which the Spin King spoke Italian, Newman said: “I didn't go out that often with Shane. We're a little different generations but when I did I couldn't understand what language he was speaking. And he spoke quickly and often.”

Shane Warne’s father, Keith, was the first speaker at the MCG, paying an emotional tribute to his son.

“Friday March 4, 2022, darkest day in our family’s life,” he started.

“It was a day that our son, Shane Keith Warne, was tragically and suddenly taken from us. Our family 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.

“Your mother and I can’t imagine a life without you. You have been taken too soon and our hearts are broken. Thank you for all you did for us. And for being such a loving and caring son. Rest in peace, mate. Love you.”

Sam Newman briefly stole the show sharing stories of Warne.