DEVASTATED Hawthorn assistant coach Brett Ratten has farewelled his teenage son Cooper at a funeral attended by nearly 1000 mourners.
Cooper Ratten, 16, died in a car accident on August 16 at Yarra Glen outside Melbourne.
He was a passenger in the car that rolled over and the police investigation into the crash continues.
Many Hawthorn and Carlton figures attended the funeral to support the Ratten family.
"If only they had asked me, if I would take your place, I would have done so willingly," Ratten said through tears as he read from a poem.
Cooper's girlfriend Jasmine and his younger brother Tanner also spoke during the service at Lilydale.
Among the mourners were Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson, former Hawthorn and Carlton coach David Parkin and many players from the two clubs.
