AFL and Carlton legend Robert Walls passes away, aged 74 after battle with rare blood cancer
AFL legend Robert Walls passed away on Thursday morning by voluntary assisted dying after a long battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
The 74-year-old Australian Football Hall of Famer and Carlton Team of the Century member passed away at his East Melbourne home, surrounded by loved ones including children Rebecca, Daniel and David and partner Julie. A doctor was also present.
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The triple premiership winner and 1987 premiership coach had battled acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since being diagnosed just before the 2023 Grand Final.
He had been in remission, but when the cancer returned, the Carlton legend decided against another round of chemotherapy.
Friends of the AFL icon said the horrific toll of his wife Erin's long battle with cancer played a part in Walls' decision to end his life by voluntary assisted dying, as well as the intense pain he was in as a result of his own fight.
Walls told his closest friends and family he had spent around 250 days in hospital in the last 18 months since his cancer diagnosis.
But despite all that Walls was said to be in good spirits in recent days and was at peace with his decision, according to Code Sports.
A close friend of his said: 'It's incredible how strong he was, he was consoling me and others.
'He was taking calls non-stop from well wishers and had dozens of visits. He certainly knew how much he was loved.'
Before passing away, the Carlton legend called friends and former football associates and teammates to bid them farewell.
He is understood to have made it clear that there was to be no publicity about his decision before his passing.
Walls informed them on those calls that with the diminishing quality of life with another chemotherapy he would rather end his life on his terms.
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