The AFL community is mourning the loss of Robert Walls, who passed away aged 74 after a long battle with cancer. A giant of the game, Walls\u2019 career spanned almost 60 years and left an indelible mark as a player, coach, commentator and mentor.<\/p>\n
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon paid tribute to Walls on Friday, calling him one of the game\u2019s most influential voices both on and off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cRobert Walls was a straight talker with very clear ideas on how the game should be played, and the requirements to be successful at the top level,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was beloved by his teammates and the players he led at senior level.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walls\u2019 accolades are among the most wide-ranging in the game\u2019s history. A triple premiership player for Carlton, he coached the Blues to a flag in 1987 and held senior roles with Fitzroy, Brisbane and Richmond. He also played four games for Victoria and was named in Carlton\u2019s Team of the Century.<\/p>\n
Dillon acknowledged Walls\u2019 early coaching role at the Brisbane Bears as pivotal in shaping what the game has become in Queensland.<\/p>\n
\u201cRobert did the hard yards when others didn\u2019t want to risk their reputations,\u201d Dillon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game was better for Robert being in our ranks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walls later became a respected broadcaster and newspaper columnist, and also served as an All Australian selector.<\/p>\n
The AFL extended its condolences to Walls\u2019 family and thanked the many players, coaches and fans who sent messages in recent weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The AFL community is mourning the loss of Robert Walls, who passed away aged 74 after a long battle with cancer. A giant of the game, Walls\u2019 career spanned almost 60 years and left an indelible mark as a player, coach, commentator and mentor. AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon paid tribute to Walls on Friday, […]<\/p>\n