AFL great Robert Walls wins a horse race before his death

Australian rules legend Robert Walls was able to achieve one emotional final victory before his death.

Australian rules legend Robert Walls always wanted to own a horse which won a race.

Walls, waited – and waited – and finally the big moment arrived just three weeks ago on April 27 when three-year-old gelding Caleana comfortably won its first start at Seymour.

For a racehorse owner, there’s nothing quite like the joy of letting big dreams run wild if a horse wins its first start. Anything seems possible.

But for Walls, who used Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying laws to sanction his own death at home on Thursday, it was one and done as he accepted the sobering reality he would never see it race again.

Not that it tarnished the moment. “When I got into racing they said I would get 69 cents in the dollar back – I reckon I have got nine cents but I have had a lot of fun and this topped it,’’ he said.

Wall’s philosophical words said a lot about the mellowing mood of a famously hard man who had plotted the end of his journey without regret or bitterness following a battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive cancer, diagnosed just days before the 2023 AFL grand final.

After spending more than 250 days in hospital and, accepting he had only months to live, Walls decided enough was enough.

As the days ticked by towards his death those close him were staggered how pragmatic, accepting and emotionally stoic he was.

Walls’ decorated journey included 259 games for Carlton and Fitzroy but in Queensland he will always be known as the no-nonsense mentor who put flint and fibre in Brisbane as coach from 1991-95 before Leigh Matthews guided the Lions to three premierships in three seasons from 2001.

Significantly, the last game Walls coached at Brisbane was their first final, beaten by just 13 points by a rampaging Carlton. The side he left was up and away – but he had started from a low base.

Walls used to tell the story of the day he called in to McDonald’s soon after arriving in Queensland and was asked “would you like some free Brisbane tickets with your burger – how many would you like?’’

Walls pragmatism in his finals days did not mean there were not moments when tear drops squeezed through the dam wall.

Like late last week when he privately watched a secretly prepared, yet-to-be-broadcast 95-minute On The Couch style tribute hosted by Gerard Healy and Mike Sheahan which tugged at the heart strings.

He sent this touching text message to long-time friend and former Brisbane Lions media manager Peter Blucher who had been the driving force behind tribute.

Robert Walls has been remembered across the AFL community.

“Last night watched Gerard and Mike doing the On The Couch tribute with my kids and grandkids. There were tears, laughter, and pride for their old Pa,” it read.

“So thank you for instigating and planning it. Not long to go but it’s really nice to have the chance to catch up with so many.’’

Three time premiership captain and Carlton coach Michael Voss, incredibly one of 16 former players to play under Walls and become AFL coaches, spoke for many teammates when he said “without his grounding, guidance, and mentorship in the toughest of times the Brisbane journey doesn’t begin.’’

“Wallsy had a massive influence, not just on me but so many players at Brisbane and played a key role in the formation of our premiership teams,’’ Voss said..

“He was tough and fiercely loyal. He expected people to meet his standard of professionalism, and demanded a strong work ethic. His respect was hard earned, but you always knew he had your back.’’

In Walls’ final weeks when he was deluged with messages, some interactions were serious and sombre, others delightfully off-beat.

Walls once gave Brisbane Lion Dean Scott a short, swift gut punch for not following instructions but later apologised after Walls’ wife Erin scolded him with “what in god’s name would make you do that?’’

Scott and Walls later played golf and Scott lost more than 20 balls given to him by Walls.

Scott squared up just before Walls death by posting to him three golf balls (“it’s all I’ve got’’) and a boxing glove, declaring “you were the only person who punched me I never punched back.’’