AFL Hall of Famer Robert Walls has passed away aged 74
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Tributes are flowing for AFL Hall of Famer and premiership winning Carlton legend Robert Walls who passed away on Thursday morning.
Walls, 74, a triple premiership Carlton player and 1987 premiership coach had been battling a rare and aggressive blood cancer since 2023.
A statement released by the AFL on behalf of Walls family confirmed Walls 'passed away peacefully in his unit overlooking the MCG'.
The league said his 'massive contribution to football at Carlton, Fitzroy, Brisbane and Richmond will be celebrated at the MCG in coming weeks'.
A member of Carlton's team of the century for his deeds as a player, Walls also guided the Blues to the 1987 premiership as part of a long and distinguished coaching career.
He guided Fitzroy to finals in 1981, 1983 and 1984 before taking on Carlton, after which he was lured to the Brisbane Bears after 1990 where he coached until 1995.
One final coaching stint at Richmond followed (1996 and 1997 before Wallas embarked on a long and successful career in the media. — Carlton News & Stats (@UptheBaggers) May 15, 2025
Walls was a key member of Seven's Talking Footy show, before moving to Fox Footy, and was also a long-time newspaper columnist, TV and radio commentator.
Long time TV commentator, Stephen Quartermaine, was glowing in his praise of Walls.
'Behind the gruff exterior of AFL… Robert Walls was a beautiful human being,' he posted on X.
'Kind, generous, caring. In the end unbelievably courageous. I was proud to call him a friend and I'll miss him.'
Walls kicked 367 goals in 218 games for the Blues as a player, and was judged best on ground in the 1972 grand final, kicking six goals, Walls would have likely won the Norm He finished his playing career at Fitzroy adding 41 games for a total of 259 matches and 444 goals.
Wall is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren, and sister Annette.
Originally published as AFL Hall of Famer and former Carlton premiership coach Robert Walls has passed away aged 74 AFL
The Western Bulldogs have moved their Round 18 game from Ballarat to Marvel Stadium, but have been rewarded with more marquee slots across the back half of the season. AFL
For all the blood and thunder of those early decades, Robert Walls' final chapter in football saw his warmth and humanity emerge for all to see. Here's the entire one-of-a-kind story in full.
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