In a touching farewell, the Australian Football community is mourning the loss of Robert Walls, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 74 after utilizing Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws. Walls, who was a stalwart of the Carlton Football Club, had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a severe and uncommon blood cancer, earlier this year.
He was a notable player, securing three premierships with Carlton, and later made an impact as a coach, including a win in 1987. After stepping back from playing in 1997, Walls became a widely respected commentator and media figure in the AFL landscape. His family reported that he spent his final moments surrounded by his children in his apartment overlooking the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a symbolic spot for an icon of Australian sports.
The state of Victoria instituted voluntary assisted dying laws in 2019, allowing individuals with advanced illnesses to conclude their lives with the consultation of medical professionals, which Walls bravely chose after battling cancer for over two years and spending more than 250 nights in hospitals.
In a heartfelt tribute, Carlton FC honored Walls as “one of our game's great servants,” underscoring the profound impact he had on the sport, both on and off the field. He is remembered by his three children and partner Julie, following the loss of his wife Erin to cancer in 2006. The legacy of Robert Walls continues to resonate deeply within the AFL community and beyond.
