Aussie Rules legend Jim Stynes will be buried in his adopted hometown of Melbourne next Tuesday morning.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to line the streets outside St Paul’s Cathedral when Stynes is awarded a state funeral in Victoria.

GAA bosses will fly from Dublin to honor the former All-Ireland minor winner who went on to become Australia’s greatest sporting import.

Stynes died aged just 45 on Tuesday after losing his battle with cancer.

His Aussie Rules club, the Melbourne Demons, expect the funeral to be one of the biggest the city has ever seen.

The Melbourne State Government will oversee proceedings for the official farewell with the ceremony to be broadcast on giant screens outside the Church.

The Demons and Stynes’ charity The Reach Foundation will also hold a ‘Tribute Hour’ when Melbourne Football Club plays the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on April 22.

He died at home in the early hours of Tuesday morning, surrounded by wife Sam, children Matissa and Tiernan and close family and friends.

Reports say that parents Brian and Teresa from Ballyboden, Dublin, and friend Jules Lund helped formed an emotional guard of honour as his body was carried from the house.

“He had no other needs when he passed away,” said Lund.

“I’ve always learnt from Jim, but I think the most valuable lessons have been in the last few years. He never ceased to amaze me. An incredible man we have lost too early.”