When remembering the force that was Shane Warne, sporting highlights and commentary on his life in front of the cameras comes to mind.
But his role as a father is perhaps his most important and endearing legacy.
His parenting journey began when he welcomed his eldest child Brooke Warne into the world in 1997 with his former wife, Simone Callahan, with whom he also shared Jackson, 22 and Summer, 20.
Brooke’s tribute dedicated to her dad following his sudden passing in March 2022 proved that she took after him in more ways than one, even if she used to find their comparisons annoying.
Brooke posted this childhood photo to pay tribute to her late dad.
(Image: Instagram)Alongside a sweet picture of her arms around Shane as a child, she penned, “Dad, this doesn’t feel real and doesn’t make sense that you are not here with us anymore. It doesn’t feel right, you were taken away too soon, and life is so cruel.
“I will forever cherish our final memories together laughing and joking around with each other. We were happy.”
She continued to reflect on their relationship, “We were so similar in so many ways, and I always used to joke that I got your genes and about how much that annoyed me! Well now I couldn’t be happier and prouder that I have your genes.
“I am lucky and will forever be so proud to call you my Dad forever. I love you to infinity and back, and I will miss you forever.”
“I will forever cherish our final memories together laughing and joking around with each other. We were happy.”
(Image: Instagram)Along with her siblings and mum, Brooke attended Shane’s private funeral at St Kilda Football Club but on March 18, she and brother Jackson had another special outing.
The brother and sister were invited onto the field at Marvel Stadium to perform the coin toss for the AFL match between Shane’s team the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies.
Whilst Shane represented his dad in a Saints scarf, Collingwood supporter Brooke shared just how much the moment meant on Instagram.
“Such a special game to our family, honouring our dad tonight has been such an amazing feeling, thank you to everyone involved, feels good to smile , thank you and go pies !!” she penned.
“Such a special game to our family.”
(Image: Getty)Speaking to Kayo in 2019, Brooke revealed that she’s responsible for how he met singing superstar Ed Sheeran.
“We were living at Crown and we were in the lift, I had a party that night and I was having my friends come and drink in the room before we went. Anyway we were in the lift and this other guy was in there…and he’s like ‘We’re just actually going to get Ed Sheeran ready for his gig tonight,’ and Dad’s going ‘Who?'” she recalled.
Back at the room, Brooke called for a couple of bottles of champagne to come up and about 10 minutes later, Ed Sheeran was at their hotel room door. Whilst Shane may not have known who he was, the Shape Of You singer was understandably star struck.
“Every time Ed comes to Australia, Dad will go to his concert or when Dad’s away over there they’ll go and get beers or they’ve played a game of golf before as well. So basically I started their friendship so they can thank me for that!”
For more on Shane Warne and his legacy, check out the following stories
Here’s how you can watch Shane Warne’s state memorial service around Australia
He was the ultimate cricket legend, but to his three kids Shane Warne was just Dad
“I want him to be really proud of me”: How Jackson Warne stepped out of dad Shane Warne’s shadow
Here is how you can watch Shane Warne’s documentary ‘Shane’ for insight into his iconic story
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