Robert Walls reveals the moment he demanded Carlton players stand up for themselves physically

Robert Walls rarely speaks to Carlton players in his role as a voluntary coaches mentor. But there was one moment this year he felt compelled to demand a physical response.

Marc Murphy of the Blues leaves the field injured.

Robert Walls has revealed he demanded Carlton’s playing group stand up for their mates after the team’s meek physical response to Marc Murphy’s broken ribs against Greater Western Sydney.

Club legend Walls is an unpaid mentor to the club’s coaches and rarely, if ever, talks to the playing group about their roles or responsibilities.

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But speaking to the Herald Sun’s Sacked Podcast, a man who built his coaching career on strong, aggressive play said he had spoken up only once this year.

Murphy had his ribs broken by Shane Mumford in a legal but brutal attack on the ball in a horror 93-point Round 9 loss, with captain Patrick Cripps the solitary Blue remonstrating with the GWS ruckman.

Walls says Carlton’s players have since made sure they stand up for each other physically when rivals try to rough them up.

“I can remember GWS was an awful day,” he said.

“I rarely say anything and I shouldn’t, either. That was the only day that I felt compelled to say something.

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“And that was because Murphy got his ribs broken by Mumford, (Jack) Silvagni got smashed into the fence and there were a couple of other instances and I was horrified there was no flying the flag or resistance shown. They are a young group and have learnt.

“You watch them play now, anyone pushes a Carlton player now they will be in there giving as good as they get, which is important.

“I didn’t say anything to ‘Bolts’ or the coaches then. But after the game I was in the group with all the players and coaches and had said nothing all year and its when I said, ‘Hey boys, you can’t accept that. I don’t care whether you are playing for Carlton or Cranbourne or Craigieburn, you don’t let your mates get roughed up and not show some resistance’.”

The Blues recorded just 44 tackles in that game, their biggest defeat of the season.

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Marc Murphy leaves the field after being crunched by Shane Mumford. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Blues skipper Patrick Cripps checks on his injured teammate. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Walls believes Carlton will be a great side in coming years.

He said his commitment to the club this year — passing up a chance to spend the northern summer in Europe — came about in part because of his grandchildren’s wavering commitment to the club.

“I have seven grandkids and the first thing I did when they were born was kit them out and I had one grandkid call me and say, ‘I don’t barrack for Carlton any more’. While it’s funny, it’s not funny and it’s sad.

“Kids like to be on a winner and Carlton has been down the bottom for most of the last 25 years and it’s why I am doing the little I am doing this year as a way of giving back.

“I don’t get paid and I don’t want to be paid. My role is a mentor to the coaches and there are 10 assistant coaches. I have a feeling, and I am genuine when I say this, they will be winning more than they lose in a couple of years.”