AFL giant Robert Walls remembered at moving MCG funeral service

Robert Walls, one of the most prominent figures in VFL/AFL history, has been remembered as a devoted family man and an inspiring teacher.

Known for being a star player, premiership-winning coach and fearless media performer across more than 40 years, Walls's most significant impact came at home.

The Australian Football Hall Of Fame member was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and died aged 74 on May 15 after using Victoria's assisted dying laws to end his life.

AFL great Robert Walls chooses to end life under voluntary assisted dying laws Photo shows Robert Walls holding the AFL premiership cup Australian Football Hall of Fame member and Carlton great Robert Walls has died aged 74.

Walls died 19 years after his beloved wife Erin — the mother to his children Rebecca, David and Daniel — lost her battle with cancer.

He was buried next to Erin, with one of his eight grandchildren, Ella, also nearby.

More than 600 mourners, a large percentage of them Australian football royalty, paid their respects to Walls in a moving service held in the MCG members' dining room on Thursday.

Eight speakers across almost 90 minutes covered his influence on family, playing, coaching and commentary, with love, humour and affection.

But it was Walls who had the final word.

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MC Stephen Gough read out a four-minute message the Carlton icon had penned before his death for the specific purpose of being read out at his funeral.

Not even any of his family knew the note was coming.

"I want you to remember the good times — of which there were plenty," Walls, who was also a respected classroom teacher, had written.

"I indeed have had a fortunate life."

Walls signed off with: "Enough from me; goodbye, best wishes and be kind to each other, Wallsy".

Often his "own toughest critic", Walls would regularly pass on his match payments at Carlton to his older sister Annette, if he felt he had not played well.

But the "boy from Brunswick" had lots of good days, playing in Carlton's 1968, 1970 and 1972 premiership teams during a 218-match career at the Blues.

Walls finished his decorated playing career at Fitzroy, where he also began his illustrious coaching journey in 1981.

Rebecca, his eldest daughter, described Walls as a caring and loving father.

"I know a lot of you here see dad as a tough, hard man, but really he was a big softie, who was a wonderful girl dad," she said.

Gough covered Walls's Carlton days, first as a player and then as a coach when he led the club to the 1987 premiership.

Walls's son Daniel was one of a number of family members to speak at the funeral service. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Michael Willson)

Scott Clayton, who has become a veteran list manager, played under Walls at Fitzroy, and then worked with him at the Brisbane Bears.

"Along with family, Robert has had the greatest influence on my life," Clayton said.

Michael McLean told of Walls showing faith in him at the Bears after being axed by Footscray.

Nicknamed 'Magic', McLean broke down at the end of his speech.

"He never called me 'Magic', he always called me Mick," he said through tears.

"Then he got out of his sick bed, came up and inducted me in the (Brisbane Lions) Hall of Fame (in 2023), and introduced me as 'Magic'."

Hundreds of mourners attended the MCG for the funeral service. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Michael Willson)

Speakers were given a five-minute warning, in reference to the countdown clock the Ten Network used for their football coverage between 2002-11.

Walls was no fan of the warning that kept viewers, and even commentators, in suspense late in matches.

David Barham, who produced Ten's coverage, called Walls the leader of their team who "set the standard for expert commentators".

Barham recalled Walls's criticism of Meatloaf before the American star's infamous performance at the 2011 AFL grand final.

Word spread at the MCG Meatloaf would cancel his performance due to poor weather, so Walls decided to take aim at him live on-air.

"Just tell the Big Loaf to harden up and get out there," Barham recounted Walls saying at the time.

"Suffice to say, had it not been for Wallsy, we may not have the Meatloaf memory, something we have all enjoyed talking about for more than a decade."

AAP

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