Many sides of Australian cricket great Andrew ‘Roy’ Symonds were revealed at his Townsville funeral

Andrew ‘Roy’ Symonds has been farewelled in a gut-wrenching service as stunned former teammates consoled his grief-stricken widow and children.

The cricketer’s devastated family joined superstar ex-players, all fighting back tears and sharing stories as they gathered at Riverway Stadium on the outskirts of Townsville, north Queensland for the private funeral on Friday. 

Symonds, tragically died aged 46 when his car rolled off a far north Queensland road late at night two weeks ago.

His devastated wife Laura was hugged by Adam Gilchrist as she kept close watch on her numbed and disbelieving children Will, 8, and Chloe, 10.

Michael Clarke, who had an infamous falling out with the late cricketer, also attended.  

A tearful Gilchrist called the eulogy by Symonds’ long-time friend Jimmy Maher one of the best eulogies he’d ever heard.

His devastated wife Laura was hugged by Adam Gilchrist as she kept close watch on her numbed and disbelieving children Will, 8, and Chloe, 10

His devastated family joined superstar ex-players, all fighting back tears and sharing stories as they gathered at Riverway Stadium on the outskirts of Townsville

Laura Symonds had to take plenty of time to comfort her and Andrew’s disbelieving children. She is pictured kissing daughter Chloe, 10 

‘Jimmy Maher gave what I think is one of the most beautiful eulogies you could ever imagine,’ Gilchrist told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘He looked the kids in the eye and delivered a message of what he thought Roy would want him to say and it was really touching, really moving.’

Deeply contrasting sides of Symonds were revealed in the heart-breaking private service.

He was remembered as a professional sportsman who would play on with gruesome injuries – but also loved reciting poetry.

Symonds’ former team-mates and friends comforted his devastated widow Laura at the gut-wrenching ceremony

Deeply contrasting sides of Symonds, as a tough but sensitive man who could play through excruciating pain but loved reciting poetry were revealed in the heart-breaking private service

Symonds, tragically died aged 46 when his car rolled off a far north Queensland road late at night two weeks ago. His children Chloe, 10, and Will, 8, sit numbed at his funeral service

Symonds’ former skipper, Ricky Ponting, remembered a moment ‘Roy’ injured his arm while playing.

‘He was having trouble batting and he lifted his sleeve and his bicep was down around his elbow,’ Ponting said.

‘We said ‘what are you doing?’ And he was like ‘na, just push it back up’.’

Ponting said his teammates tried to get him off the field to no avail. He was determined to keep playing. 

Symonds would sometimes call Australian poet Rupert McCall at midnight from around a campfire with his friends to repeat his favourite poems.

A stunned Adam Gilchrist sits with former team-mate and Australian coach Darren Lehmann at Andrew Symonds’ private funeral service on Friday

Former test keeper Ian Healy and his successor Gilchrist talk shared stories about the life of Symonds

Symonds’ former skipper Ricky Ponting talked about the late star’s professionalism and toughness

‘Once he’d done it once he thought he could keep doing it, so it’d be midnight and I’d see a name pop up on my phone ‘Andrew Symonds’ and I’d run out of the room.

‘Pretty sure my wife thought I was having an affair.

‘If only Roy could call me from around that campfire tonight.’

Andrew Symonds’ lifelong mates Jimmy Maher (left) and Matthew Mott (right reflect on their friend’s tragic passing during the private service

Queensland cricket officials thought they’d struggle to fill the grandstand, being a school and work day, but it was clear from the moment the doors opened that populating the stands would not be a problem

Mr McCall dedicated ‘You Ripper Roy’ to Symonds, which was featured in the private service program. 

Matthew Mott, a senior coach and former first-class cricketer, told Daily Mail Australia in a post-funeral press conference that everyone has been ‘dreading this day’.

‘But I just thought it was an outstanding tribute to a great human being,’ he said. 

‘It was tough – I was in eyeline with the kids there and I just kept thinking about how he won’t get to see them grow up. He loved them so much and they meant so much to him.

‘I suppose the thing I take out of it is the amount of fishing trips I knocked back because we all got too busy, and you’d just love that opportunity to get back out there and do that again with him.

Poet Rupert McCall said Symonds would ring him at midnight to recite poetry so often his own wife though the late night calls were an affair partner

Cricket Australia board member Greg Rowell shakes the hand of Symonds’ young son Will, who told Adam Gilchrist he plans to be a wicket-keeper. Rowell told a remarkable story about Will’s dad swimming through croc-infested waters

Chloe, the daughter of Andrew Symonds, reaches out for one of his caps during the private memorial service for former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds at Riverway Stadium in Townsville, Friday

‘For me, he was like a brother. One of those blokes you take for granted and you think they’ll always be there.

‘You could tell there were a lot of people hurting in there today.’

Cricket Australia board member Greg Rowell, talked about Symonds’ ‘strength and perseverance’.

He told the crowd about a moment Symonds, Mott and another friend were on a boat near Morton Island when it broke down.

The trio were forced to swim for an hour back to shore in shark and crocodile-infested waters.

Andrew Symonds’ wife Laura and son Will, 8, arrived at the funeral carrying Akubras, his beloved attire

‘Roy and Matt swam ahead but the other guy was struggling, so they kept having to go back and help him,’ he said.

‘Matt said he worried about the other guy, but never Roy due to his strength and perseverance.’

Rowell said what started as funny situation could have ended in tragedy, but Symonds made sure it didn’t – they made it safely back to shore.

Symonds was also remembered as caring as well as tough.

Former Australian cricketers Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz look on during the public memorial service for Andrew Symonds at Riverway Stadium on Friday

Symonds’ wife Laura is hugged by his former team-mate Darren Lehmann

When Rod Marsh died in March 2022, Symonds drove around town looking for a phone to use because he wanted to check that Maher was okay. 

Maher and Matthew Mott remembered Symonds as a ‘skinny little fella with blond hair’ as a child.

‘There was a sense of fun and a cheekiness – you could always tell he was a good bloke,’ Mott said.

The queue outside the stadium ahead of the public funeral was a few hundred people deep – as Australians from all over flocked to the event.

Queensland cricket officials thought they’d struggle to fill the grandstand, being a school and work day, but it was clear from the moment the doors opened that populating the stands would not be a problem.

One fan said he happened to be in Townsville and thought he’d go to the service.

‘Always loved cricket, and I watched Roy, and I happened to be in town,’ he said.

‘I didn’t go to Shane Warne’s funeral.’

One woman carried a large bunch of flowers into the venue, while others wore Queensland cricket tshirts or green and gold jerseys.

Among the first to arrive just after 10am an hour prior to the service were Laura, Chloe and Will, each of them clutching Akubra hats in a nod to the Aussie larrikin cricketer.

Chloe celebrated her tenth birthday last week – just four days after her dad’s sudden death. Both she and little brother later bravely delivered eulogies.

Andrew Symonds’ daughter Chloe, 10, bravely spoke at her dad’s funeral, where she comforted his best mate Jimmy Maher

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting and teammate Adam Gilchrist (right) were among the cricket greats in attendance

They were followed a short time later by Symonds’ best friend, former Australian and Queensland teammate Jimmy Maher, who delivered a moving tribute hailed as the ‘best eulogy ever’.

Gilchrist added his day improved ‘because I bumped into Will (Symonds’ son) then and he’s said to me ‘guess what Gilly? I’m now wicket keeper.’

‘Sorry Roy,’ he said, looking at the sky. ‘I poached him.’

When trying to describe what Symonds was like ‘as a mate’, Gilchrist had to take a moment – tears welling in his eyes.

‘He was a pure heart, he found his way into trouble as good as anyone, but when he did he was remorseful … and then he’d dust himself off and have another go,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.

The order of service featured photos of Symonds wearing his beloved Akubra and as a boy aspiring to wear the baggy green

Adam Gilchrist (right with former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting) later told Daily Mail Australia the service was ‘simply beautiful’

Distraught mourners comforted one another in emotional scene as the private service concluded

A host of cricket greats have also travelled north, including Adam Gilchrist, Ian Healy, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Glenn McGrath, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson.

West Indies legendary batsman Brian Lara and NRL greats Darren Lockyer and Gordon Tallis were also in attendance. 

‘He was loyal, almost to a fault. Mischievous character, but he would do whatever it took to help others – in and off the field,’ Gilchrist said. 

‘The service was simply beautiful. I’ve not seen a congregation as moved as they were today – full of sadness, but also such beautiful memories of a guy who just gave so much of himself to so many people, unconditionally.’

When asked whether he could believe he was standing at Symonds’ funeral, Gilchrist said ‘No, I can’t’.

‘I can’t believe I was standing there, unable to speak ten minutes ago and I’m trying to talk now, openly and honestly.

‘I literally can’t believe he’s gone, nor could anyone who was at that service today.’

Symonds’ best mate and former teammate Jimmy Maher (right) arrived with his family. The pair had been friends for 30 years

Shattered friends and family fought back tears and embraced each other as they arrived for an emotional send-off

Andrew Symonds’ coffin at the service was surrounded by a host of cricket caps, along with his cricket bat

A note was sent to guests saying ‘no tie necessary’ to reflect Symonds’ casual personal style. Throughout his career, he often showed up to semi-formal events wearing shorts and t-shirts. 

Former teammates took the brief seriously with chinos and button-up shirts, while others wore three-piece suits.

Many attendees were also dressed in maroon in a nod to Symonds’ love for his home state Queensland.

Mourners greeted each other with hugs, holding back tears, as they came together to pay tribute to Symonds and celebrate his life.

The order of service featured a poem titled ‘You ripper Roy’ celebrating Symonds’ life penned by poet Rupert McCall, which he also read out at the service in honour of his good mate.

‘Fate marks a moment in everyone’s life, the tide turns at dusk and the big fish are rife,’ it reads.

‘Instinct befriends you and confidence grows, talent takes over and everything flows.

‘Where to from here? Well, with him, who’s to say? The ocean is deep and the fella can play.

‘For now, let’s acknowledge the dream of a boy, and the day he fulfilled it…’You ripper Roy’.’

Emotional mourners comforted each other as they arrived at Riverway Stadium for the 90-minute service

Well-dressed mourners complied with the ‘no-tie necessary’ request in a nod to the late cricketer’s casual personal style

Former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan and his wife attended Symonds’ private funeral

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara (left) travelled to Townsville to farewell his good mate and former rival

Guests at the service were sombre – completely silent as they sat in the middle of the stadium, as piano played softly in the background.

They were urged to make a donation to Royal Flying Doctor Service in lieu of flowers.

Symonds’ smiling face could be seen on three screens, and on a photo above the coffin – adorned with flowers, sitting behind a table with cricket caps and trinkets.

Cricket stumps were positioned around the marquees.

Nigel Fairbairn was first to speak after the service was opened with a song called ‘Knee Deep’, by Zac Brown Band.

‘I welcome you here to celebrate the life of Andrew Symonds,’ he began.

‘The gratitude his family extends to you all, with the acknowledgement to people who have travelled long distances.

‘Rejoice in the life he led. Celebrate it and learn from it.

‘Andrew’s life was a life well-lived, albeit cut short too early.’

Symonds’ children Chloe and Billy were next to speak, followed by his mother Barbara and sister Louise.

Former Australian and Queensland teammate Matthew Hayden also delivered a video tribute. 

As a photographic tribute video played to John Williamson’s iconic hit True Blue, Jimmy Maher – Symonds’ best friend – broke down. 

Little Chloe got up from her seat in the front row and gave him a big hug, before she hopped on to her mum’s lap.

Maher tried to maintain composure, taking swigs from a water bottle, before he got up to deliver the eulogy.

Few people knew Symonds better than Maher, his long-time friend and former teammate. The pair first began playing cricket together in the under-10s in the nearby town of Charters Towers.

One of Maher’s fondest memories of the pair’s 30-year friendship was being part of Australia’s victorious 2003 World Cup squad.

Last week, Maher pledged his support to Symonds’ children while speaking with Daily Mail Australia.

The flags were at half-mast as the hearse left the stadium after the service, just before 12.30.

Family, friends and former teammates slowly made their way up the stairs and into a private room in the stadium for the wake – in a sea of black, deep blues, and maroon, the colour of Queensland cricket organisation, the Bulls Masters.

Former all-rounder Shane Watson was among the busload of cricket greats who arrived for the service together

The who’s who of cricket circles were Townsville to farewell Symonds, including former wicketkeeper Ian Healy

Some guests walked arm-in-arm, comforting each other after saying goodbye to the father-of-two. 

Former teammate Matthew Mott told Daily Mail Australia everyone has been ‘dreading this day’.

‘But I just thought it was an outstanding tribute to a great human being,’ he said.

‘It was tough – I was in eyeline with the kids there and I just kept thinking about how he won’t get to see them grow up. He loved them so much and they meant so much to him.

‘I suppose the thing I take out of it is the amount of fishing trips I knocked back because we all got too busy, and you’d just love that opportunity to get back out there and do that again with him.

‘For me, he was like a brother. One of those blokes you take for granted and you think they’ll always be there.

‘You could tell there were a lot of people hurting in there today.

‘It’s a sad moment but it was a great service that celebrated a life well lived. It’s a shame it’s been cut so short and he had so much more to give to a lot of people.

‘Those kids grew up with a loving father and they know he’ll be overlooking them for many years to come.

‘His mum Barbara got up and told a lot of stories about when he was younger – I think a lot of those stories were assumed knowledge, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house from about half way through.’

Asked how the cricket community was coping with the loss of three greats within just a few months, Mott said he couldn’t make sense of it.

‘I still feel a bit numb about the whole thing.’

‘This one has just rocked us – not just the cricket community, but everyone.’

Australian cricket great Mark Waugh was among the many who complied with the ‘no tie necessary’ rule

Symonds also had close ties with the NRL and used to train with the Brisbane Broncos. Pictured is NRL legend  Darren Lockyer

Andrew Symonds’ coffin left the stadium in a funeral hearse following the private memorial service

A public service will be held and live-streamed later on Friday afternoon, which gets underway at 2.30pm. 

The queue outside the stadium ahead of the public funeral was a few hundred people deep – as Australians from all over flocked to the event.

Queensland cricket officials thought they’d struggle to fill the grandstand, being a school and work day, but it was clear from the moment the doors opened that populating the stands would not be a problem.

One fan said he happened to be in Townsville and thought he’d go to the service.

‘Always loved cricket, and I watched Roy, and I happened to be in town,’ he said.

‘I didn’t go to Shane Warne’s funeral.’

One woman carried a large bunch of flowers into the venue, while others wore Queensland cricket tshirts or green and gold jerseys.

Fans sat in the middle of the stadium while loved ones watched on from the wake – which was held over the grandstand.

The service kicked off with a video showing stills from Symonds’ childhood, and work of his greatest moments in cricket – namely, the moment he leveled a streaker on the pitch.

It was a favourite among the crowd on Friday afternoon.

Instead of curating a sad event, organizers made an effort to keep the mood upbeat. Cricket moments aside, videos and photos of Symonds fishing in Townsville were shown to hundreds of fans.

‘Applause is good,’ Ian Healy told the crowd when the film concluded.

‘Today’s celebration follows a beautiful service this morning where every participant pegged Roy incredibly well.’

‘To Barb, Laura, Louise, Nick, Chloe and Billy, we thank you for allowing us to be together. None of us were sure whether Roy would like this or not – he did rate pomp or ceremony, but when he did rate something, he rated it fiercely.’

Healy said watching Symonds master cricket and his work in the broadcast box made him ‘incredibly proud’.

Greg Rowell was the only man in a suit, and said he felt unsure about wearing it because ‘Roy didn’t care for suits’.

‘Roy would find it funny that I’m the only one here in a suit,’ he told the audience.

He told the crowd about a moment Symonds, Matthew Mott and another friend were on a boat near Morton Island when it broke down – forced to swim an hour back to shore in shark and crocodile-infested waters.

‘Roy and Matt swam ahead but the other guy was struggling, so they kept having to go back and help him.

‘Matt said he worried about the other guy, but never Roy’ due to his strength and perseverance.

Rowell said what started as funny situation could have ended in tragedy, but Symonds made sure it didn’t – they made it safely back to shore.

When Symonds had the option of playing for England, ‘he didn’t turn his back on Australia’.

The audience was silent during his delivery – even those sitting 100m away in the stands.

Daren Lehman, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist remembers Symonds on a panel with Ian Healy.

Lehman said ‘Roy was tough to coach, but he was the best one because he put so much of himself into it. To coach him was a pleasure.’

Gilchrist was 19 when he first met Symonds, who was only 16.

‘He was already in the sights of everyone at the time.’

Ponting travelled from India to Townsville for the memorial, and spoke about the loss of three cricket greats within a few weeks.

Around 100 family, friends and former teammates gathered for a private memorial ahead of a public service later on Friday

EXCLUSIVE: Inside Andrew Symonds’ last hours alive doing what he loved – as his family are baffled by one crucial detail and it’s revealed the cricket legend had secretly separated from his wife

Andrew Symonds spent his final 24 hours doing what he loved, fishing and catching up with buddies at his favourite sports club, before he died in a car accident three hours later on a remote road.

The cricket legend was still in his fishing gear when he arrived at the Brothers Leagues Club in Kirwan, about 16km west of Townsville in Far North Queensland, on Saturday afternoon.

‘I’d say he spent the morning fishing before he got to the pub,’ Justin Wilkins, the club CEO, told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘He stayed there until about 8pm, and then he left.’

Symonds died almost three hours later when his ute veered off Hervey Range Road, about 14km west of the pub, and rolled up an embankment on his drive home from a mystery location.

Family are desperately trying to piece together where the cricketer went after leaving the pub at 8pm, collecting his dogs and suffering a fatal crash on the remote road, with his sister saying they ‘just don’t know’.

The cause of the smash is yet to be determined but Queensland Police said alcohol was not a factor, and Mr Wilkins said he didn’t think Symonds had much to drink. 

Andrew Symonds (pictured) went fishing and went to the pub before he died on Saturday night, Daily Mail Australia can reveal

Andrew Symonds went to Brothers Leagues Club (pictured) on Friday, and then again on Saturday

Tyre marks and torn-up grass are seen at the site where Symonds’ 4X4 veered off the road 

‘He was a big guy and he could put it away, but I don’t think he drank a lot before he left on Saturday,’ Mr Wilkins said.

He also didn’t know where Symonds went between leaving the pub and hitting the embankment, but it is understood he went home to collect his two beloved blue heeler dogs before he left and drove west.

The cricketer’s home is a two-minute drive from the club in Kirwan. The site of the crash is about 15 minutes west of Kirwan, near Alice River Bridge. 

Symonds’ beloved pets were in the back of the red 4X4, which had personalised ‘ROY’ number plates at the time of the accident. 

It was the same vehicle the keen angler used to tow his boats on his many fishing trips.

The dogs survived the crash, with one refusing to leave Symonds’ body on the side of the road.