UPDATE 4.45pm: BOBBY Davis's son has captured the spirit of his famous father in an emotional eulogy at his memorial service in Geelong today.
Big footy names and local footy fans crammed St Mary’s basilica to overflowing, with about 100 braving rain and a bitter chill to watch on a screen outside.
Past and present Geelong players and a host of famous footy names paid their respects.
Some of the 1500 mourners wore suits, but just as many wore scarves, some turning up in their complete match day gear.
For those stuck outside, the dress made sense. Wind howled, threatening to lift marquees off the ground, and the rain could be heard inside the church.
Mourners included his League Teams sparring partner Lou Richards, footy greats Peter McKenna, Barry Stoneham, Rex Hunt, Peter “Crackers” Keenan and Kevin “Cowboy” Neale, Premier Ted Baillieu and one-time Labor Attorney General Rob Hulls.
Neil Roberts and Eddie McGuire were also among those to pay their respects.
The current Cats team came, as did the biggest name in town before this year, Gary Ablett Jr.
Sam Newman, a Cats 300-gamer, turned up late and stood outside in the chill.
Davis’ son, Guy, recalled a dad so passionate about the team that family holidays turned into recruiting missions.
He told the congregation about his father’s love of his family, football, cars and Geelong, and came to realise he was more than a dad.
"He was a mate," Guy said.
"He was a mate to all of us here in one way or another."
Premier Ted Baillieu declared Davis more than a good Victorian – a delightful one.
"Go Bobby! Go Cats!" he cheered.
And Couldabeen Champion Ian Cover declared Bobby "Fair Dinkum Unbelievable".
Hundreds formed a guard of honor as Bobby’s hearse left the church.During an emotional eulogy, Guy said his father’s love of cars had led to the rumour that he had once driven from Melbourne to Geelong in just 27.5 minutes.
"That’s categorically untrue,” Mr Davis said. "It was 26 minutes.”
Mr Davis said Bob was a proud family man to the end.
"Even in his last days at St John of God Hospital he said what a fine footballer (his grandson) Paddy was becoming and how (granddaughter) Olivia would play tennis for Australia one day,” Mr Davis said.
He recounted how his mother and father met at a dance at the Ballarat boat club and were married in 1952.
In addition to being a top footballer, Bob had been an outstanding cricketer and was a school prefect growing up in Ballarat.
"Dad wasn’t a Cat man from day one. He was actually a Swans man.”
But it was in Geelong where the Davis family, which was extended to include four daughters and a son, was to make their mark.
"It’s where our homes were made. It’s where out businesses were established and long bonds were formed," Mr Davis said.
In addition to his famous football and television career, Davis also had a stint as a car salesman in England during travels there in 1979.
"Nobody knew him from World of Sport,” Mr Davis said.
"He was just a funny, friendly, charming bloke.”
Collingwood great Lou Richards also paid tribute to his good mate and "marvellous footballer".
Richards, who worked alongside Davis and Richmond legend Jack Dyer on the groundbreaking League Teams, arrived at the funeral in a wheelchair.
"He was a marvellous footballer,” Richards said.
"He was a good bloke too. You can’t beat that, can you?”
One of Davis’s former charges at Geelong, Brian Brushfield, has been busy welcoming the mourners including Peter "Crackers” Keenan, Kevin "Cowboy” Neale, Peter McKenna and Michael and Neil Roberts.
Brushfield said the outpouring of support for Davis at the funeral was outstanding.
"You won’t see a bigger turnout in Geelong,” he said.
"I haven’t until now, and I don’t think you will in the future.”
Current Geelong players and recently departed club great Garry Ablett Jnr arrived at the church at 12.35pm.
Cats premiership coach Bomber Thompson also joined the congregation.
Earlier, mourners started arriving more than 90 minutes before the service.
And with two-thirds of the 1000-seat St Mary’s catholic church reserved for family, friends and Geelong footy club faithful, the general public queued in the open like they do for finals.
Davis passed by Kardinia Park for the final time this afternoon following the memorial service when his hearse was driven within sight of the gate named in his honour.
Davis is survived by his wife Margaret and five children.