Farewell Bob Davis
Football legend Bob Davis has been farewelled in his beloved hometown of Geelong.
The sporting icon was remembered as a loving family man, AFL football great and pioneering media identity at his funeral in Geelong.
The three strands of Davis' life came together at St Mary's Basilica in Geelong today as thousands mourned one of football's most loved characters.
Davis won two premierships with Geelong as a player in the 1950s and one as a coach in 1963 and forged a celebrated 40-year media career.
But he was best remembered by his son Guy as a husband, father, provider, protector, role model and mate.
Guy Davis summed up his father as a "funny, friendly, charming bloke".
Current Geelong players, former greats, politicians and fans packed the church for the service and then formed a guard of honour outside the church as the hearse was driven off to a private family burial.
Former Geelong Football Club president Frank Costa recalled the skilled footballer brought great success to the Cats as a player and coach who also united the town.
Radio identity Ian Cover recounted Davis's great humour and generosity in his post-football career which paved the way for ex-players to enter the media.
Cover told tales of Davis's simple and unique use of the language he called Bobbyspeak including a trademark phrase "fair dinkum unbelievable".
Cover said that not only was Davis a fan of the Cats, of footy and of footy people, but he was a fan of all people and people responded to him likewise.
Many of Davis' old team-mates and players he coached as well as opponents and his famed TV cohort Lou Richards were among more than a thousand mourners who said farewell to Davis, who died last week aged 82.
