Melbourne great Jim Stynes has been remembered during a pre-match tribute before the Demons’ AFL game against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

A month after the Irishman’s death from cancer, the ceremony before the Jim Stynes Tribute Match looked back at a life that touched many through his football deeds, but also his work with youth charity the Reach Foundation.

A crowd of several thousand arrived at the MCG an hour early for the tribute in which youngsters from Reach joined Stynes’ family and Melbourne Football Club former players and officials to remember a man who inspired thousands.

Sixteen-year-old James Rogers, speaking on behalf of “the hundreds of thousands of young blokes Jim Stynes inspired with his work at Reach” said Stynes saw the potential in everyone.

In a televised message, prime minister Julia Gillard said Australians are proud of and grateful for Stynes.

“Here at the people’s ground, this is the people’s chance to say thanks Jim and farewell,” she said.

A rousing rendition of the Melbourne theme song welcomed the club’s players onto the ground as they ran through a banner which read “Farewell Our Hero” and featured Stynes’ two jumper numbers, 11 and 37 and a green shamrock.

Stynes died from cancer last month after helping save Melbourne when he took over as president of the ailing club.

His 264-game playing career included winning the Brownlow Medal in 1991.