The family of Jim Stynes has accepted a state funeral for the Melbourne AFL legend who died from cancer on Tuesday aged 45. Meanwhile, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has paid tribute to Stynes.
Speaking at the MCG, where flags were arranged at half mast, Premier Ted Baillieu told reporters the government had made the offer to Stynes' wife Sam.
"We're pleased to honour him as best we can," Baillieu said.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"For his family, our hearts go out to Sam. She has been a tower of strength.
"I've had the privilege of speaking to her a number of times over the last little while and to meet and talk with Jim many times over recent years.
"They're just the most remarkable people.
"I'm sure everybody wishes Sam and the family and the children in particular all the best."
No date has yet been set for the funeral.
AFL BOSS DEMETRIOU PAYS TRIBUTE
When AFL boss Andrew Demetriou told Jim Stynes he was "crazy" to take the helm at embattled club Melbourne in 2008, it was just what the former Demons star wanted to hear.
Off the field as well as on it, Stynes' mind and body were fuelled by challenges.
He endured countless injuries to play an unmatched 244 consecutive games, prompting fellow Gaelic football import Sean Wight to say: "It's as if the greater the challenge, the stronger he gets."
Melbourne's administration was in a mess in 2008 when Stynes was considering running for president in a bid to turn the league's oldest club around.
"I can remember the meeting when Jim came to my office and he was contemplating taking on the presidency because he was almost despairing of what was going on," Demetriou said on Tuesday.
"I told him he was crazy - but I sought of knew then that that was exactly the challenge that he wanted.
"And he formed an excellent board and restructured and rebuilt the club and retired their debt.
"It's an incredible legacy for the Melbourne football club.
"He then displayed all of those attributes in his battle with his illness - caring for others, thinking about others."
Demetriou said Stynes' work at Melbourne would "long be remembered as a great turning point" in the club's history, culminating in the eradication of a $5 million debt.
Demetriou said the story of Jim Stynes was the most unique in the history of the AFL.
Stynes died from cancer on Tuesday at the age of 45.
