AFL world in mourning after Carlton legend Robert Walls passes away, aged 74

Carlton great and Australian Football Hall of Famer, Robert Walls, has passed away, aged 74, choosing voluntary assisted dying over a second gruelling cancer fight.

Vale Robert Walls – 1950-2025

Carlton legend Robert Walls has passed away this morning, after deciding not to go through another gruelling round of chemotherapy in his battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

The 74-year-old Australian Football Hall of Famer and Carlton Team of the Century member chose voluntary assisted dying over a second cancer fight.

The triple premiership Carlton player and 1987 premiership coach had battled acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since being diagnosed in the week before the 2023 Grand Final.

He had been in remission, but when the cancer returned he decided against another harrowing fight he could not win.

Walls passed away at his East Melbourne home, surrounded by loved ones including children Rebecca, Daniel and David and partner Julie.

A doctor was also present.

Friends of the AFL great said the horrific toll of his wife Erin’s long battle with cancer had partly influenced Walls’ decision to end his life by voluntary assisted dying, as well as the pain of his own fight.

He told them he had spent about 250 days in the past 18 months at hospitals.

Friends also said he was perpetually tired and his hearing, eyesight and balance were starting to go.

But they said the courageous Carlton great had been composed and in good spirits in recent days and was at peace with his decision.

One close friend said: “It’s incredible how strong he was, he was consoling me and others.

“He was taking calls non-stop from well wishers and had dozens of visits. He certainly knew how much he was loved.”

Walls called friends and former football associates to farewell them in recent weeks but was adamant he wanted no publicity ahead of his passing.

He told them he was conscious of the diminishing quality of life that he could expect if he was again subjected to a 24/7 chemotherapy fight.

MIKE SHEAHAN: MY LAST MOMENT WITH EXTRAORDINARY WALLSY

Walls told the Herald Sun last year that when he was diagnosed he believed he only had a few months to live, so was content to have extended that timeline through chemotherapy.

“I wasn’t shattered or felt cheated,” he said.

“I just thought I’ve had a wonderful life. I’m 73, and (wife) Erin passed away 18 years ago (of cancer). She never saw the grandkids grow up. I’ve got seven grandkids, the oldest is Tara, 19, and the youngest is Daisy, 5, and the others are in between, and I’ve seen them grow up and I want to see more of that.

“That’s my incentive, to get a few more years. I don’t know how many more. If I could get a few more years, I’d happily sign off.’’

Walls with wife Erin, who lost her battled with cancer in 2006.

And with Stephen Kernahan and the 1987 premiership cup.

Paul Roos, who was coached by Walls at Fitzroy, travelled from his home in Hawaii to farewell him last week.

A celebration of Walls’ life is due to be held at the MCG, at a date to be decided.

Walls transformed from one of footy’s most combative and prickly characters into an exceptional media personality.

His career saw him play 218 games as a rangy forward and two-time leading goalkicker for Carlton, winning flags in 1968, 1970 and 1972, before a 41-game stint at Fitzroy.

Carried off with a knee injury in his final game in 1980, he immediately replaced senior coach Bill Stephen for the following season and began a clean-out of players he believed were “past it”.

The Lions responded under Walls’ style and played finals in three of his five seasons, before he returned to Carlton as coach in an unusual swap that saw Blues coach David Parkin replace him at Fitzroy.

Within two seasons the Blues had won the 1987 premiership under him.

Walls went on to coach the Brisbane Bears from 1991 to 1995, before coaching Richmond in 1996 and 1997.

He became one of footy’s most passionate and combative TV commentators, featuring on shows including Talking Footy and On The Couch.

His running spat with Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy was legendary – as was their Talking Footy confrontation – while he was particularly scathing of West Coast’s 2006 premiership because of the players’ culture of drug-taking.

But while he admitted he was prickly in an era of hard-as-nails senior coaches, a new generation saw his softer side as he enjoyed time with grandchildren.

Walls said last year he would have no regrets if the cancer eventually got him.

“If I was to die tomorrow, I’d say how fortunate I’ve been,” he said.

“No ‘woe is me’ at all. My sister’s had cancer, her husband had cancer, their little boy when he was four had cancer and lost his arm. He’s now 35 or 36 and a strapping big guy. How tough’s that? My wife passed away at 55. Shit, I’m in my 70s, I’ve got nothing to complain about, nothing at all.’’

Originally published as AFL world in mourning after Carlton legend Robert Walls passes away, aged 74