Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten has paid tearful tribute to his son Cooper, who died in a car accident a week ago.

Cooper was a passenger in a car that rolled after veering off the road near Yarra Glen on August 16.

• Brett Ratten pens heartbreaking tribute to dead son

Hundreds of mourners filled the chapel at Lilydale Memorial Park.

Brett Ratten said he would have gladly taken his son’s place.

“If only they had asked me, if I would take your place, I would have done so willingly,” Ratten said.

Cooper’s girlfriend Jasmine Williams also spoke, as did Hawthorn’s club chaplain Bill Vassiliou.

Ratten is an assistant coach at Hawthorn, whose senior coach Alastair Clarkson and captain Luke Hodge were in attendance.

Carlton captain Marc Murphy, who played under Ratten at the Blues, and Ratten’s former teammate Stephen Silvagni were also there.