Latest news with #DavidWalls
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL icon Robert Walls' incredible act in final moments
Robert Walls 'skipped' to his death on Thursday, the footy icon's family has shared. The AFL world was in deep mourning on Thursday when it was announced the 74-year-old has died following a battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer. Walls, a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame and one of the most respected voices in the sport, chose voluntary assisted dying. Unwilling to undergo another round of brutal chemotherapy after briefly being in remission, Walls died at his East Melbourne home on Thursday. He was surrounded by loved ones, including children Rebecca, Daniel and David and partner Julie. A doctor was also present. David has now told Code Sports: 'In the movies you think of someone on death row dragging their feet but he skipped down the hallway like he was running through the banner. 'His dog Lily was craning her neck trying to get to him and see what was happening but Lily will go with (former partner) Julie. 'They aren't together any more but she has been a good companion and they have known each other for 18 years. We had dinner last night with all the grandkids and today was Daniel, Rebecca, myself (his children), his sister and Julie and Lily.' David said his dad continually told his loved ones he was grateful to have lived the life he did. 'He was ready,' David said. 'He said, 'I have had a great life and I have tried to fight it, but it's enough'. 'Seeing how mum (Erin) went through what she did, he did an unbelievable job looking after her but he lived on his own and he knew what was coming and he thought he would go a little earlier rather than reaching the point of no return. 'He had to jump through a lot of hoops. He had to see three doctors, he had to be terminal and he had to have a certain type of cancer but he was ready.' 'He just kept saying how grateful he was for the life he had and the way he had travelled, the places he had been. He had a great career in football and grandkids that loved him. He said, 'I can't complain'. 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 in recent months, the Carlton legend decided against another round of chemotherapy, deciding to end his life by voluntary assisted dying. 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. 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 due to another round chemotherapy he would rather end his life on his terms. Since news of his death broke there has been an outpouring of grief from the Australian sporting world as people paid tribute to one of the AFL greats. 'Behind the gruff exterior of AFL… Robert Walls was a beautiful human being. Kind, generous, caring. In the end unbelievably courageous.,' Australian television presenter Stephen Quartermain wrote in a touching tribute on X. 'He loved his family dearly. I was proud to call him a friend and I'll miss him. Condolences to all those that loved him. Vale Rob.' Veteran journalist John Ralph wrote: 'Vale Robert Walls who passed away this morning after choosing not to go through another gruelling cancer fight. His family were there as he passed after a brave 20 month battle with a rare cancer. A coaching, playing and media legend.' The AFL official page wrote: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of three-time Carlton premiership player, 1987 premiership coach and Australian Football Hall of Fame member Robert Walls.' And Collingwood great Tony Shaw wrote: 'Sad day with the passing of Rob Walls. A mentor, colleague and family man with unbending integrity. Right to the end he did it his way. Condolences to family and friends.' After news of his passing spread, Carlton released a lengthy statement, labelling Walls 'ahead of his time' and a 'visionary'. 'The Carlton Football Club and the League football community are today mourning the passing, at the age of 74, of one of the game's great servants, Blues' three-time Premiership player and Premiership Coach Robert Walls,' Calton said in a statement on Thursday. 'Walls' tenure as a player and coach extended across four clubs, and as a respected commentator across television, radio and print, spanned some six decades. It was at Carlton that the AFL Life Member and Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee savoured his greatest individual and collective footballing moments. 'On-field, Walls was part of the drought-breaking Grand Final victory over Essendon in 1968, the incredible come-from-behind Grand Final triumph over Collingwood in 1970, and the winning Grand Final shootout with Richmond in 1972. 'Off-field as Senior Coach, he commandeered Stephen Kernahan and his players to Carlton's penultimate Premiership, when they prevailed in the heat against Hawthorn on Grand Final day in 1987. 'Walls faced his final days with extraordinary courage and a remarkable perspective. He took time to reflect on a life well-lived and was able to share his farewells with the many players, officials and media representatives whom he had met along the way. As he said: 'I've had a wonderful life'.' Carlton Legend Stephen Kernahan also paid tribute to a person he deeply admired. 'When I came to Carlton, 'Wallsy' drove me to get the best out of myself, and I'd do anything for him,' Kernahan said. 'He was a hard man – but I loved that hardness in him. He was also ahead of his time, a real visionary. 'Wallsy was a great mentor and friend to me, and I'm shattered I'm not going to see him again.' Nathan Buckley wrote on X: 'Robert Walls was one of the most impactful people in my football journey; just 7 months as my first AFL coach. 'He was hard but fair and drove unrelenting standards around putting team over individual, ruthlessly schooling those that refused to. I am forever in his debt.' Carlton also revealed just weeks ago he gave each of his four Premiership medallions and his Jack McHale Medal to the club to display in the front-of-house Museum at IKON Park.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Footy legend Robert Walls' family reveal intimate details of his last moments as he chose to end his life when rare and deadly disease returned
Robert Walls' son has revealed the footy icon's final moments weren't marked by sadness, but by strength and love – exactly how his children say he wanted to go. The Carlton legend died peacefully at home on Thursday, aged 74, after choosing to end his life by drinking a lethal substance under Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying laws. His children, David, Daniel and Rebecca, were by his side, along with his sister Annette, former partner Julie, and beloved dog Lily. David Walls said his father had faced his death with remarkable composure. 'He skipped down the hallway like he was running through the banner,' he told News Corp. 'He was ready. He said, 'I've had a great life... but it's enough.' Walls had spent more than 250 days in hospital since being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2023. When the cancer returned after a short remission, he decided not to endure another round of chemotherapy. 'He didn't want to keep fighting something he knew he couldn't beat,' David said. 'He'd seen what cancer did to Mum, and he didn't want that to be his story too.' Erin Walls, his wife of many years, died in 2006 from lung cancer. Her death left a lasting mark on the footy great, who had cared for her during her final days. 'He did an enormous job,' David said. 'I think that experience really influenced his decision.' In his final weeks, Walls called friends, teammates and former players to say goodbye. 'He was taking calls constantly,' David said. 'So many people reached out. It makes you proud of the football community – past players, opponents, coaches – all showing care and respect.' Walls made it clear to his children that he didn't want publicity before his death. He wanted time with his family and the chance to go quietly, in control of the moment. Walls was extremely well known in the AFL world, but did not want his passing to be publicised before he went 'He jumped through all the hoops, saw the doctors, and got the green light,' David said. 'He knew exactly what he was doing.' The family spent his final night together, sharing dinner and memories with his grandchildren. 'There was laughter,' David said. 'It was warm, and it was what he wanted – surrounded by people who loved him.' Julie, though no longer his partner, remained a constant in his life. 'They weren't together anymore,' David said. 'But they'd known each other for 18 years. She's been a good companion.' David also said his father had become deeply reflective over the last few months. 'He kept saying how grateful he was – for the life he lived, the people he knew, the places he travelled. He never complained,' he said. Walls' illness began with chest and rib pain, which he assumed was just old football wear and tear. But one day, during a routine walk with his dog, he couldn't continue. 'He only lasted 10 minutes,' David said. 'That's when he knew something wasn't right.' He was diagnosed days later. Doctors initially gave him three months to live, but Walls defied expectations. He fought for nearly two years. 'He did it for the grandkids,' David said. 'That was his reason to keep going. He loved being around them.' Before his death, Walls donated all four of his premiership medals – from 1968, 1970, 1972 and 1987 – to Carlton, where they now sit proudly at IKON Park. 'He wanted them to be with the club,' David said. 'That was his football home.' Tributes have poured in. Paul Roos flew from Hawaii to visit. Former players and coaches reached out with stories and memories. 'Some said he was the hardest bloke they ever played under,' David laughed. 'But they were grateful. They knew he meant it, and they respected that.' Walls spent his final days reflecting on what mattered most – his family. 'He wasn't scared,' David said. 'He had made peace with everything. He told us he felt lucky.' Carlton great Stephen Kernahan described Walls as a mentor and friend. 'He was hard – but I loved that about him,' Kernahan said. 'He was a visionary. I'm shattered I won't see him again.' Michael Voss, who played under Walls at the Brisbane Bears, said: 'He drove me to get the best out of myself. He accepted nothing less than your best. He'll be missed.' The AFL will honour Walls' contribution with a celebration of life at the MCG. Brisbane will wear black armbands in tribute.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Robert Walls AFL: Aussie sport thrown into mourning by death of premiership-winning footy legend after brave battle with rare disease
The footy world is in mourning over the death of AFL legend Robert Walls, who won grand finals as a player and coach before succumbing to a rare form of cancer on Thursday morning, aged 74. Walls was a giant figure at Carlton, where he won the 1968, 1970 and 1972 flags as a player, before going on to lead the Blues to another grand final win as coach in 1987. He played 218 games for the club from 1967 to 1978 before switching to Fitzroy, and led the Blues as coach from 1986 to 1989. Walls died at his home in Melbourne in the company of his sons David and Daniel, daughter Rebecca and partner Julie. He was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive cancer acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2023 after noticing warning signs shortly before the grand final that year. Doctors said he would not live past that Christmas, but he showed the grit he was famed for as he battled the disease long beyond expectations.
