David Morrow funeral: Footy greats gather to farewell the legendary sports broadcaster

Football stars and media figures have gathered in Sydney's eastern suburbs to farewell legendary sporting broadcaster David 'Thirsty' Morrow. 

Morrow, whose radio career spanned more than half a century, died of brain cancer aged 71 last week and was sent off in style on Thursday at St Brigid's Catholic Church in Coogee. 

Former NRL players Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley and Paul Gallen were among those to attend the service along with Daryl Brohman, Mark Levy, Peter Psaltis and other Nine colleagues.

A St George Illawarra Dragons bomber jacket was laid across Morrow's casket as it was carried down the aisle to the soundtrack of AC/DC's It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll).

As the service began a number of items including an Olympic flag and 2GB cap were placed upon the coffin by Morrow's loved ones.

Morrow's nickname of 'Thirsty' came from his love of a cold Reschs, and his passion for the Dragons was reflected in the red and white items of clothing mourners were asked to wear.  

His youngest daughter Lucy Morrow reflected on her father's 'intelligent sporting acumen' and 'deep thoughtfulness for others' in a touching eulogy.

'While dad may have been one of the greatest this country will ever see, he was an even better father,' she said.

Morrow was diagnosed with cancer in December and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which forced him to step down from his role on 2GB's Continuous Call Team.

In lieu of flowers, mourners were asked to make a donation to the Mark Hughes Foundation which raises funds for research into brain cancer and supports those with the disease. 

Morrow's broadcasting career began in Kempsey on the NSW mid-north coast in 1972. He would go on to cover Olympic Games and six Commonwealth Games, as well as 44 years calling rugby league.

Morrow was a radio and television commentator for the ABC from 1980 to 2014, calling Saturday football to a national audience on ABC television until 1996.

Daughter Lucy shared one of the last pieces of advice her father gave her.

'I was leaving the hospital one night [and] as I said goodbye, he said, "Now be good",' Ms Morrow told the congregation.

'Yeah, yeah, Dad, I'm always good,' she replied.

'And if you can't be good, be careful,' Morrow said back.

As Ms Morrow walked down the hallway she heard her dad's 'bellowing' voice telling her 'and if you can't be careful, give me a ring'.

'Well Dad, since I can't give you a ring and I'm not that good at being good, I guess I best learn to be careful,' Lucy said.

Ms Morrow described being her father's daughter as the 'greatest honour' of her life.

'I love you Dad and I miss you already,' she said.

Morrow's fellow Continuous Call Team member Mark Levy announced a Nine radio Olympic studio at Pyrmont would be named in his honour.

Levy worked alongside Morrow for nearly a decade after the veteran joined the Continuous Call team in 2015.

He said while Morrow came to the team as a 'polished, experienced, respected broadcaster,' colleagues quickly realised he was 'just as loose' as the rest of them.

Levy said after growing up in regional NSW, Morrow 'ended up travelling the world' and providing a 'soundtrack for the generation'.

'I wish he was still around to help with our Olympic coverage over the next two weeks because, as we know, David loved the Olympic Games,' he said.

'But if I know David, he'll have a front-row seat somewhere in that main stadium. While he might not be with us to cover the games, David will be with us in spirit.'

'I'll certainly be thinking of him when I broadcast our brand new Olympic studio.

Levy reflected on his friend's 'amazing ability' to remember sporting records spanning decades and multiple sports.

'I'm talking about the most random times, margins, dates, where everyone came from, if they were from the bush, and when it comes to sport, I don't think I've ever met anyone as knowledgeable as David,' he said.

Levy said he had been inundated by emails from listeners who said they were 'blessed to have had the privilege of listening,' to Morrow.

Morrow was awarded an OAM for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community in 2005 and was inducted into the Sydney Cricket Ground Media Hall of Honour just last year.

Before Morrow's death he was informed of his induction into the NRL Hall of Fame for his service to the game.

Following his death, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys described Morrow as one the 'greatest voices of the game' who was recognised across the country for his 'wit, his insight and his knowledge'.

'I had the pleasure of knowing David throughout my career in sport and he was a champion in every sense of the word. I have been honoured and privileged to know him as a friend,' he said in a statement confirming Morrow's death last week.

'In his final days, David knew how cherished he was in the rugby league community, having been informed of his induction into the Hall of Fame.'

V'landys said it was comforting to know both Morrow and his family were aware of how the game 'felt about his achievements'.

Morrow is survived by wife Christine and daughters Emily and Lucy.