Robert Walls, a renowned figure in Australian Rules Football, has passed away at the age of 74 after opting for voluntary assisted dying following a battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Remembered fondly as a player and coach for Carlton Football Club, Walls's legacy spans nearly five decades in the sport.
AFL Icon Robert Walls Passes Away Following Voluntary Assisted Dying Choice
AFL Icon Robert Walls Passes Away Following Voluntary Assisted Dying Choice
In a heartfelt farewell, Robert Walls, the Carlton Football Club legend, utilizes voluntary assisted dying laws as he succumbs to cancer.
A Carlton Football Club legend, Robert Walls died on Thursday, aged 74, having chosen to utilize voluntary assisted dying laws. The former Australian Football League (AFL) player and coach achieved remarkable success with Carlton, claiming three premierships as a player and one as a coach. He later transitioned to a role as a media figure and commentator, further solidifying his impact on the sport.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a particularly aggressive form of blood cancer, Walls's family shared with local press that he passed peacefully in his apartment, overlooking the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, surrounded by his children.
Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws, enacted in 2019, enabled individuals facing advanced disease to make empowered choices regarding their end-of-life care with medical approval. In a family statement, they indicated, "Having battled cancer for more than two years, Robert did it his way," after spending over 250 nights in hospital battling the disease.
The Carlton Football Club honored Walls on social media, highlighting his dedication to the game and referring to him as "one of our game's great servants." With over 200 matches under his belt and multiple premierships won in 1968, 1970, and 1972, Walls has left an indelible mark on the sport. His coaching tenure included significant achievements, including leading the team to victory in the 1987 premiership.
Walls’s personal life faced hardships too; he lost his first wife, Erin, to cancer in 2006, and is survived by three children and his partner, Julie, marking the end of a notable chapter in the realm of Australian football.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a particularly aggressive form of blood cancer, Walls's family shared with local press that he passed peacefully in his apartment, overlooking the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, surrounded by his children.
Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws, enacted in 2019, enabled individuals facing advanced disease to make empowered choices regarding their end-of-life care with medical approval. In a family statement, they indicated, "Having battled cancer for more than two years, Robert did it his way," after spending over 250 nights in hospital battling the disease.
The Carlton Football Club honored Walls on social media, highlighting his dedication to the game and referring to him as "one of our game's great servants." With over 200 matches under his belt and multiple premierships won in 1968, 1970, and 1972, Walls has left an indelible mark on the sport. His coaching tenure included significant achievements, including leading the team to victory in the 1987 premiership.
Walls’s personal life faced hardships too; he lost his first wife, Erin, to cancer in 2006, and is survived by three children and his partner, Julie, marking the end of a notable chapter in the realm of Australian football.
