ABOUT 800 people have paid their final respects to Dean Bailey at a memorial service at Adelaide Oval on Saturday morning.

Bailey died early last Tuesday after a brief battle with an aggressive form of lung cancer.

He was 47 years old.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who worked alongside Bailey at Port Adelaide in 2003/04, joined players, officials and staff from several football clubs.

All were enhanced by Bailey's presence during his 28-year playing and coaching career.

Adelaide CEO Steven Trigg was one of five people to deliver eulogies in the 90-minute service, which although emotional, celebrated Bailey's famous sense of humour.

Bailey played 53 games for Essendon from 1986 to 1992, before joining SANFL club Glenelg,where he won the Tigers' best and fairest in 1995.

After helping the Power to the 2004 premiership as defensive coach, he landed the senior coaching job at Melbourne before finishing his career with the Crows.

The much-loved family man leaves behind wife Caron and children Darcy and Mitchell.

Brad Crouch, Taylor Walker, Scott Thompson and Brenton Sanderson arrive at the Adelaide Oval for Saturday's memorial service. Picture: Getty Images