Robert Walls, the legendary player and coach in the Australian Football League (AFL), has died at the age of 74, opting for voluntary assisted dying after a courageous battle with cancer. A prominent figure in Australian sport, Walls made his mark playing for and coaching the Carlton Football Club, where he won multiple premierships and later transitioned to a successful media role.
Robert Walls: AFL Legend Chooses Voluntary Assisted Dying at 74
Robert Walls: AFL Legend Chooses Voluntary Assisted Dying at 74
A revered Carlton Football Club figure, Robert Walls passed away after utilizing voluntary assisted dying laws.
Walls was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2023, a condition that led him to make the difficult decision to end his life under Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws. His family revealed that he passed away in the company of his children at his Melbourne apartment, which provided a view of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The voluntary assisted dying laws, established in 2019, permit individuals with terminal illnesses to choose to end their suffering with medical assistance. Walls’ family shared that he fought bravely against cancer for over two years, spending extensive time in hospitals, and ultimately made a choice to end his struggle on his own terms.
The Carlton Football Club has paid tribute to Walls, recognizing him as "one of our game's great servants." Over a stellar career, he played more than 200 matches for Carlton, clinching premiership titles in 1968, 1970, and 1972. After retiring from professional play in 1997, he became a well-respected commentator in the AFL community.
Walls is remembered not only for his contributions to Australian football but also for his personal resilience. He is survived by his partner Julie and three children, following the loss of his wife Erin to cancer in 2006.
The voluntary assisted dying laws, established in 2019, permit individuals with terminal illnesses to choose to end their suffering with medical assistance. Walls’ family shared that he fought bravely against cancer for over two years, spending extensive time in hospitals, and ultimately made a choice to end his struggle on his own terms.
The Carlton Football Club has paid tribute to Walls, recognizing him as "one of our game's great servants." Over a stellar career, he played more than 200 matches for Carlton, clinching premiership titles in 1968, 1970, and 1972. After retiring from professional play in 1997, he became a well-respected commentator in the AFL community.
Walls is remembered not only for his contributions to Australian football but also for his personal resilience. He is survived by his partner Julie and three children, following the loss of his wife Erin to cancer in 2006.
