Vale Robert Walls

[NetworkNerd]

Sad news

The pale, raw-boned boy who became an AFL legend

Uncompromising as a player, coach and commentator, Robert Walls was a respected and influential figure in Australian football for more than 50 years.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

 

[Stamos]

AFL great Robert Walls dies, aged 74, using voluntary assisted dying laws

That Robert Walls would die soon, at a time of his choosing, was known to many of his friends within the football and media fraternities. He was one of the game’s most fabled figures.

www.theage.com.au

https://archive.md/pdl5D

 

[Cyber_punk]

I remember him as a channel 10 commentator because I was too young to see him as a coach.

Used assisted dying, poor bugger must have been suffering greatly. RIP

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Sad stuff.

Didn’t see him play but you don’t play league football at 16yo - in the rough and tumble 1960s no less - without being seriously good and seriously tough.

Coached four clubs and coached a flag.

Had his critics as a media operator but that’s mostly because he upset people sometimes rather than pleasing them. That’s better than the alternative.

RIP

 

[iameviljez]

Robert Walls' Open Mike interview is probably (and I'm not just saying this in light of his death), my favourite Open Mike interview. He completely changed my mind on him over the space of 30 minutes.

Going in, I didn't really rate his as a commentator, nor as a coach - he seemed to be a bit of a grumpy old dinosaur from a bygone era.

However, his honesty, frankness and openness was completely disarming, as well as his pride in his own achievements (especially at Brisbane and Fitzroy). I've never seen someone on Open Mike ever openly admit that he deserved to get the arse as a coach, or that he was a dirty footballer who owed Peter Knights an apology. And he was dead right about his achievements at Brisbane; the winning percentage wasn't great, but the trajectory was.

 

[NetworkNerd]

I remember that 1995 season when he was told midway during the season that he wouldn't be coaching the bears... from then the Bears played some good footy and almost knocked off the Blues in the Qualifying final.. there were alot of players then that would ultimately be major parts of the 2001-2003 3-peat

 

[Black Panther]

Cue The Chaser Eulogy Song

 

[justlookingaround]

RIP Wallsy

 

[Bluelegs]

Often think about the old Channel 10 commentary and how much natural chemistry they had. Walls calling for out of form talls to be 'given a run in the ruck' is one of the all time footy memes.

Couple of my favourite commentary moments was when he tried to calm Stephen Quartermain down over an umpiring error


As well as his insatiable hatred for Bret Thornton

Bret Thornton

Age

42

Ht

192cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.9

4star

K

9.2

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.0

3star

No current season stats available

D

9.6

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.4

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.0

3star

RIP

 

[Lunchtime]

R.I.P Robert Walls. Great player for Carlton who went on to play for Fitzroy as well. He then went on to coach Fitzroy, Carlton, Brisbane Bears and Richmond. He never took a backward step and always said it how it was when working in the media as a commentator. My condolences to his family, friends and all who knew him.

 

[juice t]

RIP Wallsy
I hope several coaches pay tribute by giving their struggling key forwards a run in the ruck

 

[MisterMarcus]

Apparently he’s already telling God to give St Peter a run in the ruck…

 

[BigFrizz36]

Imagine a centre half forward getting the ball 24 times, taking 9 marks and kicking 6 goals in a grand final. Robert Walls did it in 1972.

Was a genuinely great footballer, a coach who changed the game (the huddle etc) and a commentator who called it as he saw it.

Well played Wallsy, rest in peace. Sincere condolences to his family.

 

[Roylion]

Loved watching him play and coach at Fitzroy. Lifted the Lions to their best era since winning the premiership in 1944. Was coach in 1983 when I thought that Fitzroy had a genuine chance at winning the premiership.

Mike Sheahan said about Walls.

"I suspect Fitzroy became his first love, despite four flags with the Blues (one as coach)."

 

[outabounds]

Great old school hard man. Something thats disappeared from the game. Something tells me that the way he left us is going to prompt a fair bit of publicity. RIP.

 

[Cyclonus]

Good on him for going out on his own terms, I really respect that.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

Never knew him as a player or a coach but he was vital part of Channel 10s coverage

He was blunt and dry but always honest.

Vale Robert

 

[jj1978]

Legend. Most probably know him as a commentator, but regardless of how grumpy he may have appeared, he at least was eloquent and viewers could comprehend and respect what was being said (unlike some we have now).

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Great old school hard man. Something thats disappeared from the game. Something tells me that the way he left us is going to prompt a fair bit of publicity. RIP.

Giving up instead of going through more pain...I can get around that

 

[voorhees]

RIP Robert...
commiseration to the Walls family

 

[blueboy25]

Great old school hard man. Something thats disappeared from the game. Something tells me that the way he left us is going to prompt a fair bit of publicity. RIP.

Just after Buzz had passed away one of Wallsy's old Brisbane players was talking on tripe m and said he had been to see Wallsy in the days prior to say goodbye and he was very ill and in a lot of pain.

 

[Im New]

Robert Walls' Open Mike interview is probably (and I'm not just saying this in light of his death), my favourite Open Mike interview. He completely changed my mind on him over the space of 30 minutes.

Going in, I didn't really rate his as a commentator, nor as a coach - he seemed to be a bit of a grumpy old dinosaur from a bygone era.

However, his honesty, frankness and openness was completely disarming, as well as his pride in his own achievements (especially at Brisbane and Fitzroy). I've never seen someone on Open Mike ever openly admit that he deserved to get the arse as a coach, or that he was a dirty footballer who owed Peter Knights an apology. And he was dead right about his achievements at Brisbane; the winning percentage wasn't great, but the trajectory was.

I really enjoyed Wallsy, called it as he saw it without fear or favour and a Bombers fan as a youngster to boot!



The sort of bloke I would have loved a beer with. Vale.

 

[basashi]

Good on him for going out on his own terms, I really respect that.

Dignified, brave and with autonomy.

 

[iameviljez]

Cue The Chaser Eulogy Song

Except, I don't think he was an arseh*le. Yes, a sniper (Sheedy was correct on that, and Walls admitted as much), but not an arseh*le.

 

[Anja_Nees]

He’s an icon of the game and I actually quite enjoyed his commentary.

He also helped the Dogs out pro bono on a few occasions. Get the impression he loved the game.

Very sad but he achieved a lot.