The Robert Walls’ funeral ended on a highly emotional note on Thursday, with a letter penned by the AFL legend read out to the hundreds of mourners who turned up to the MCG service.

Walls — who chose to end his own life rather than keep fighting the rare cancer that was slowly killing him — pre-wrote the letter, ensuring a final goodbye from the grave to friends and family.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: AFL greats gather at MCG to farewell Robert Walls.

Not even any of his family knew a note from beyond the grave was coming.

“I want you to remember the good times — of which there were plenty,” Walls, who was also a respected classroom teacher, wrote.

“I indeed have had a fortunate life.”

“The most fortunate thing in my life was meeting and marrying Erin — we raised three beautiful kids: Rebecca, David and Daniel.

“Who have become just very good, kind, respectful, decent people.

“My adult kids are my best friends.

“Erin and I shared over 30 years together. She was always my strong, loyal support, and a devoted mum.”

He then spoke about his other partner, Julie, who he met after Erin, saying “fortune shone” on him again.

And then, in classic Walls style, he said farewell for the last time, while giving his friends some advice.

“Enough from me, goodbye, best wishes and be kind to each other,” he wrote.

About 600 mourners attended the service at MCG’s Members Dining Room, including many AFL champions and media icons.

Carlton greats such as Stephen Kernahan, Stephen Silvagni and Craig Bradley all paid their respects to Walls, as did Michael Voss (who was coached by Walls when he was at the Brisbane Bears).

After Walls’ coaching career ended with an unhappy tenure at Richmond, he became a respected commentator — always with the forthright and fierce demeanour that had marked his lengthy tenure inside the game.

David Barham worked with Walls when the Essendon president was head of sport Channel 10.

“Wallsy set the standard for expert commentators. He remains the best I have ever seen,” Barham said.

“At times he was blunt, and brutally honest, but it never came from anything other than what he believed was right and fair.”

Barham also relayed a story about Walls and Meat Loaf when the famous US Bat Out of Hell singer performed at the 2011 grand final.

Barham revealed Meat Loaf was thinking about pulling out of the event due to rain, and he had let that information slip to Walls.

There were concerns from Meat Loaf’s representatives about safety in performing on an outside stage.

“It was big news, and given this was (Channel 10’s) last grand final (as the AFL broadcaster) ... the confidentiality part slipped my mind, and I decided I would tell Wallsy,” Barham said.

“(Robert) didn’t take it well. He lived his life by fronting up no matter what, and he didn’t take to people who dodged their responsibilities. On air, he gave Meat Loaf one of his better sprays … along the lines of ‘he just must front up and perform … he’s being paid a lot of money … it’s just a bit of a drizzle… if he doesn’t perform I will’.

“He finished with my personal favourite: ‘Just tell the Big Loaf, to harden up and get out there …’

“Wallsy’s on air spray started a bit of a media bushfire and the news spread quickly. 3AW picked up the story and it blew up into a drama.

“Meatloaf’s man, turned directly to me and launched into me, he was screaming ... ‘Walls … who’s Walls” … Walls’ … I looked him straight in the eye and said, ‘I have never heard of him’ … and then turned around and walked away, knowing Wallsy had single-handedly ensured Meatloaf’s half-time show was back on.

“Suffice to say, had it not been for Wallsy, we may not have the Meat Loaf memory, something we have all enjoyed talking about for more than a decade.

“Wallsy, if you are listening to this and you have ended up in the same place as Meat Loaf, a warning, he will probably be looking for you, and I suggest an apology might be a good thing … however, if you do see him, tell him it was great TV.”