AFL and Carlton legend Robert Walls passes away, aged 74 after battle with rare blood cancer

AFL legend Robert Walls passed away on Thursday morning after a long battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

The AFL world is in mourning following the death of triple premiership player, premiership coach, Australian Football Hall of Fame member and one of the most respected voices in the sport Robert Walls after a 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, unwilling to undergo another round of brutal chemotherapy after briefly being in remission.

He died at his East Melbourne home on Thursday, surrounded by loved ones including children Rebecca, Daniel and David and partner Julie. A doctor was also present.

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The triple premiership winner and 1987 premiership coach had battled acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since being diagnosed just before the 2023 Grand Final.

He had been in remission, but when the cancer returned in recent months, the Carlton legend decided against another round of chemotherapy, deciding to end his life by voluntary assisted dying.

Friends of the AFL icon said the horrific toll of his wife Erin’s long battle with cancer played a part in Walls’ decision to end his life by voluntary assisted dying, as well as the intense pain he was in as a result of his own fight.

Walls told his closest friends and family he had spent around 250 days in hospital in the last 18 months since his cancer diagnosis.

Michael Voss and his first coach and mentor Robert Walls. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

But despite all that Walls was said to be in good spirits in recent days and was at peace with his decision, according to Code Sports.

A close friend of his 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.”

Before passing away, the Carlton legend called friends and former football associates and teammates to bid them farewell.

He is understood to have made it clear that there was to be no publicity about his decision before his passing.

Walls informed them on those calls that with the diminishing quality of life due to another round chemotherapy he would rather end his life on his terms.

Since news of his death broke there has been an outpouring of grief from the Australian sporting world as people paid tribute to one of the AFL greats.

Robert Walls chose to end his own life after a long battle with a rare blood cancer. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“Behind the gruff exterior of AFL… Robert Walls was a beautiful human being. Kind, generous, caring. In the end unbelievably courageous.,” Australian television presenter Stephen Quartermain wrote in a touching tribute on X.

“He loved his family dearly. I was proud to call him a friend and I’ll miss him. Condolences to all those that loved him. Vale Rob.”

Veteran journalist John Ralph wrote: “Vale Robert Walls who passed away this morning after choosing not to go through another gruelling cancer fight. His family were there as he passed after a brave 20 month battle with a rare cancer. A coaching, playing and media legend.”

The AFL offical page wrote: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of three-time Carlton premiership player, 1987 premiership coach and Australian Football Hall of Fame member Robert Walls.”

And Collingwood great Tony Shaw wrote: “Sad day with the passing of Rob Walls. A mentor,colleague and family man with unbending integrity. Right to the end he did it his way. Condolences to family and friends.”

After news of his passing spread, Carlton released a lengthy statement, labelling Walls “ahead of his time” and a “visionary”.

“The Carlton Football Club and the League football community are today mourning the passing, at the age of 74, of one of the game’s great servants, Blues’ three-time Premiership player and Premiership Coach Robert Walls,” Calton said in a statement on Thursday.

“Walls’ tenure as a player and coach extended across four clubs, and as a respected commentator across television, radio and print, spanned some six decades. It was at Carlton that the AFL Life Member and Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee savoured his greatest individual and collective footballing moments.

“On-field, Walls was part of the drought-breaking Grand Final victory over Essendon in 1968, the incredible come-from-behind Grand Final triumph over Collingwood in 1970, and the winning Grand Final shootout with Richmond in 1972.

“Off-field as Senior Coach, he commandeered Stephen Kernahan and his players to Carlton’s penultimate Premiership, when they prevailed in the heat against Hawthorn on Grand Final day in 1987.

Carlton's Robert Walls marks on his chest.

Robert Walls won three premierships as a player and one as a coach.

“...Walls faced his final days with extraordinary courage and a remarkable perspective. He took time to reflect on a life well-lived and was able to share his farewells with the many players, officials and media representatives whom he had met along the way. As he said: “I’ve had a wonderful life”.”

Carlton Legend Stephen Kernahan also paid tribute to a person he deeply admired.

“When I came to Carlton, ‘Wallsy’ drove me to get the best out of myself, and I’d do anything for him,” Kernahan said.

“He was a hard man – but I loved that hardness in him. He was also ahead of his time, a real visionary.

“Wallsy was a great mentor and friend to me, and I’m shattered I’m not going to see him again.”

Nathan Buckley wrote on X: “Robert Walls was one of the most impactful people in my football journey; just 7 months as my first AFL coach.

“He was hard but fair and drove unrelenting standards around putting team over individual, ruthlessly schooling those that refused to. I am forever in his debt.”

Carlton also revealed just weeks ago he gave each of his four Premiership medallions and his Jack McHale Medal to the club to display in the front-of-house Museum at IKON Park.

Originally published as AFL and Carlton legend Robert Walls passes away, aged 74 after battle with rare blood cancer