His sidestep was even more famous, according to his many teammates who paid tribute at his funeral service on Thursday.

Mr Walker, the father of Councillor Alfie Walker, was farewelled in a moving service at Saint Saviour's Cathedral, which started with a traditional smoking ceremony. He died on April 25 aged fifty-three.

One of 13 children born to Donald and Amelia Walker, his athletic skill was apparent from an early age. Starting his career as a junior in the Shoalhaven, he went on to play rugby league across the South Coast, the Southern Highlands and Canberra. In 1986 and 1987 he played four games for the Canberra Raiders.

Those celebrating his life wore Raiders jerseys or shirts from his former playing days with the Boomanulla Raiders.

They remembered him as someone who always stopped to have a yarn and a good laugh and had three main passions in his life - footy, family and culture.

"The grief of having to lose people is the joy of having known them, the joy of which we become specially aware of during this time today when we will spend time remembering and celebrating Alfie," Pastor Andrew Pocock said.

In his eulogy, Alfie Walker (Jr) remembered him as a "great dad" to all of his children.

"He may have had unconventional ways of raising us but it was his style," he said.

"One of dad's passion in life was football. His love for the game and its camaraderie gave him the passion to play. Just like the song we hear, 'Centrefield', he lived for the game and was ready to play."

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His grandchild, Khiara, said all of his grandchildren carried his "smile, charm and charisma."

Alfie senior's good friend Dale Huddleston performed I'll Have to Say I Love you in a Song before a slideshow of photos from his life was beamed to the large congregation.

Mayor Bob Kirk and Cr Margaret O'Neill were among those attending.

At the end of the service, ex-footballers created a guard of honour as family accompanied his coffin from the Cathedral.

Outside, friend Colin Booth said Alfie senior's sidestep was legendary.

"He was a gifted player and was my best mate," he said.

"He was a true champion and was always generous with his time in teaching youngsters how to play."

Mr Huddleston told The Post he played a great deal of football with and against Alfie with the Raiders and later with the Boomanulla Raiders.

"He was loved by everybody, it didn't matter the colour," he said.

"People couldn't get enough of him. He was a brilliant footballer and a good person."

Another friend, Noel Wellington, said such was the talent that ran through the Walker family, any one of the boys could have played first-grade in the NRL.

"He was a good bloke - very kind-hearted and respected by everyone."

His brother, Andrew, the youngest of the brood, who played for the Wallabies, said Alfie was always a very happy person.

"He was always travelling and getting around to see family. He was such a family man and a very lovable person," he told The Post.

"...Deep down there was a lot of hurt inside but he hid it, put his happiness out and focused on the positives. He taught me how to be a positive person...He lightened up a lot of lives."

Alfie is also survived by children Stella, Amelia and Teri-Lee and grandchildren Isaac, Ava and Grace.

He was buried at Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Goulburn.