The spirit of late Adelaide coach Phil Walsh still inspiring Crows, says AFL star Brodie Smith

ON the second anniversary of the death of Adelaide Football Club coach Phil Walsh, the legacy lives on with Crows defender Brodie Smith appreciating the lessons he left behind at West Lakes.

Caring mentor ... Crows coach Phil Walsh talks to Rory Sloane at training in 2015.5 Picture: Stephen Laffer

ON the second anniversary of the death of Adelaide Football Club coach Phil Walsh, the legacy lives on, with Crows defender Brodie Smith appreciating the lessons he left behind at West Lakes.

“It is an emotional day,” Smith said on Monday, two years after the Adelaide Football Club — and Australian sport — were left in shock by Walsh’s death at his Somerton Park home.

“We will never forget what he did for us in the short time he was here,” added Smith of the first-year coach, who worked just 12 home-and-away games in Season 2015.

“(Nor will we forget) how much he cared for all the players in this footy club.

“He really set this group of players up to achieve something.

“We will definitely continue to try to honour what he started here.”

Adelaide’s player group has shown extraordinary resilience amid the tragedy, as noted by the Crows playing finals in 2015 — and beating the Western Bulldogs in the elimination final at the MCG in September of that season.

That rivalry continues at Adelaide Oval on Friday night with the Crows hosting the AFL premiers.

Smith emphasised Walsh’s care for those he led as the lasting legacy carried by the Crows today.

“The care he showed for the players — and just how much he wanted to win and how much he loved the game, that really rubbed off on us all,” Smith said.

“He really started something in this group — a strong culture.

“It started with ‘Tex’ (Taylor Walker being appointed) captain. We all look up to him and take a lot from what Walshy left us.”

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Originally published as The spirit of late Adelaide coach Phil Walsh still inspiring Crows, says AFL star Brodie Smith