Richmond is mourning the passing of Robert Walls, aged 74.
The AFL great coached the Tigers in 39 games from 1996-97 for 17 wins and 22 losses.
His biggest win as Richmond’s coach came in Round 21 of the 1996 season, when the Tigers demolished Fitzroy – the team Walls had played for and coached – by 151 points at the MCG.
It was Fitzroy’s last game in Melbourne before merging with Brisbane.
Walls’ final game as Richmond's coach was in Round 17, 1997 against Adelaide at Football Park.
The Tigers lost by 137 points and Walls was subsequently replaced as coach by Jeff Gieschen with five rounds of the 1997 home and away season remaining.
Former Richmond champion key forward Matthew Richardson paid tribute to Walls, who he enjoyed considerable individual success playing under during the 1996 and 1997 seasons.
Richardson, coming off a ruptured ACL that he sustained in 1995, kicked an AFL career-high 91 goals in 1996 and 47 goals the following year.
“It’s very sad to hear of the passing of ‘Wallsy’,” Richardson said.
“I found him as a coach to be very hard, but fair.
“He instilled a lot of confidence in me as I worked my way back from the knee injury.
“Wallsy really believed in me and helped significantly with my successful return to the playing field.”
Richardson would later renew acquaintances with Walls in the football media.
“After I retired, I got to work with him a bit on radio at 3AW,” Richardson said.
“He was a great media performer, and his typical hard line was still on offer. Although, in this format, he showed a great sense of humour as well.
“Socially, he was terrific company.
“What a career in football he had!
“He will be sorely missed.”
Richmond sends it deepest sympathy to Wallsy’s family and many friends throughout the AFL football world.
Robert Walls career record:
- 218 games for Carlton 1967-78, 367 goals
- 41 games for Fitzroy 1978-80, 77 goals
- Four games for Victoria, seven goals
- 1968, 1970, 1972 premierships
- 1975, 1976 club leading goals
- 1977-78 club captain
- Carlton Team of the Century (interchange)
- 115 games coached Fitzroy 1981-85
- 84 games coached Carlton 1986-89
- 1987 premiership
- 109 games coached Brisbane Bears 1991-95
- 39 games coached Richmond 1996-97
- One game coached Victoria 1999
- AFL Life member
- Australian Football Hall of Fame
