Tribute to AFL Legend Robert Walls Who Chose Voluntary Assisted Dying, Dies at 74

With a storied career in Australian rules football as a player, coach, and commentator, Walls leaves behind a legacy celebrated by fans and players alike.

Australian Football League (AFL) mourns the loss of Robert Walls, a revered figure in the sport, who passed away at 74 after opting to use voluntary assisted dying laws available in Victoria. A stalwart of the Carlton Football Club, Walls made significant contributions as both a player and coach, racking up three premierships on the field and one leading the team from the sidelines.

Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2023, a rapidly progressing and rare blood cancer, Walls's family revealed that he spent his final moments surrounded by loved ones in his apartment overlooking the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the heart of AFL action in Victoria.

Victoria's voluntary assisted dying legislation, enacted in 2019, provides individuals in the terminal stages of debilitating illness the option to peacefully end their lives with medical assistance, contingent upon the approval of two doctors. His family shared in a heartfelt statement that following a two-year battle with cancer that involved over 250 nights in hospitals, Robert made the personal decision to conclude his fight on his own terms.

The Carlton Football Club commemorated Walls's contributions through a heartfelt tribute on social media, hailing him as "one of our game's great servants." Over his extensive career, Walls participated in more than 200 games for the Carlton FC and celebrated premiership victories in the years 1968, 1970, and 1972. His coaching prowess included guiding the team to victory in 1987, as well as leading the Brisbane Lions and Richmond Tigers throughout his career.

Walls, who retired from playing in 1997, transitioned into a celebrated media role, becoming a familiar voice in AFL commentary. He is remembered not only for his achievements but also for his enduring passion for the sport, describing himself as a lifelong ‘fan.’ Tragically, he experienced profound personal loss when his wife Erin also succumbed to cancer in 2006. He is survived by three children and his partner, Julie.