AFL icon reveals harrowing health journey: 'I needed to give myself a chance'
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An AFL icon has courageously opened up about his harrowing health journey, sharing the details of his battle with cancer.
Robert Walls, 73, found himself on the brink of a life-altering crisis during AFL grand final week last year when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The Carlton legend received the diagnosis last year but is now in remission.
Doctors predicted that Walls had as little as one month to live if he abstained from treatment.
Having been caught off-guard by the diagnosis, Walls initially confessed to contemplating forsaking treatment.
'I said to my (oncologist) “If I don’t do anything, where do I stand?” (They said) “You’d have one to three months to live,” That rocked me,' Walls shared.
'What if I decide I didn’t want to get any treatment…and I thought for a few days of taking that option. I was going downhill pretty quickly and I just thought, I don’t want my grandchildren to see a sick, disabled old man.'
'I don’t think it’s a weakness to think like that…but I needed to give myself a chance, to see if treatment could help me, and if it does help me, I could enjoy my children and grandchildren.'
Walls, renowned for his versatile capabilities on and off the pitch, donned multiple roles such as player, coach, and commentator. He is also a revered member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, having played 218 games and taking home premierships in 1968, 1970, and 1972.
He ended his career with Fitzroy and immediately became their senior coach. He moved to the Blues in 1986 and coached his beloved club to the flag the following year.
Walls also holds Hall of Fame status at both Carlton—where he was later named a Legend in 2011—and Brisbane for his work at Fitzroy and his five-year tenure as the Bears' coach.
His association with the Blues continued until 2019, when he volunteered as a mentor to Coach Brendon Bolton and his staff.
Walls was also one of those who helped set up the Lions for their 2001-03 premiership hat-trick, where he coached the likes of future flag heroes such as Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis, Justin Leppitsch, Chris Scott and Craig McRae in the mid-1990s.
Walls' health struggles began last year when he found himself grappling with pain and sleep interference.
He was cleared of any heart issues, but 24 hours after a basic blood test, Walls learned of his diagnosis over the phone.
'(The doctor said) “Go to Epworth emergency now,”' he recalled.
'I was by myself, and I thought “Jesus, he’s abrupt and straight to the point.”'
In addition to chemotherapy sessions in the hospital, he would also spend months going in and out of the hospital and wearing a chemo bag.
'I wasn’t shattered or felt cheated,' Walls shared.
'I just thought, I’ve had a wonderful life. I’m 73, and Erin passed away 18 years ago. She never saw the grandkids grow up.'
'I’ve got seven grandkids, the oldest is Tara, 19, and the youngest is Daisy, 5, and the others are in between, and I’ve seen them grow up and I want to see more of that.'
'That’s my incentive, to get a few more years. I don’t know how many more. If I could get a few more years, I’d happily sign off.'
Walls cited broadcasting icon Sandy Roberts as his inspiration, who himself is fighting a rare and incurable blood cancer but is now also reportedly in remission.
What are your thoughts on Robert Walls' fight against cancer? Share them with us in the comments below.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story carried a quote attributed to Walls stating that he consulted his 'chronologist' about his cancer. It has since been revised to state his likely meaning, which is his specialised doctor. We regret the oversight.
Robert Walls, 73, found himself on the brink of a life-altering crisis during AFL grand final week last year when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The Carlton legend received the diagnosis last year but is now in remission.
Doctors predicted that Walls had as little as one month to live if he abstained from treatment.
Having been caught off-guard by the diagnosis, Walls initially confessed to contemplating forsaking treatment.
Robert Walls has been diagnosed with cancer. Image source: Facebook / VFL AFL 20th Century History Photos Videos Memories.
'I said to my (oncologist) “If I don’t do anything, where do I stand?” (They said) “You’d have one to three months to live,” That rocked me,' Walls shared.
'What if I decide I didn’t want to get any treatment…and I thought for a few days of taking that option. I was going downhill pretty quickly and I just thought, I don’t want my grandchildren to see a sick, disabled old man.'
'I don’t think it’s a weakness to think like that…but I needed to give myself a chance, to see if treatment could help me, and if it does help me, I could enjoy my children and grandchildren.'
Walls, renowned for his versatile capabilities on and off the pitch, donned multiple roles such as player, coach, and commentator. He is also a revered member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, having played 218 games and taking home premierships in 1968, 1970, and 1972.
He ended his career with Fitzroy and immediately became their senior coach. He moved to the Blues in 1986 and coached his beloved club to the flag the following year.
Walls also holds Hall of Fame status at both Carlton—where he was later named a Legend in 2011—and Brisbane for his work at Fitzroy and his five-year tenure as the Bears' coach.
His association with the Blues continued until 2019, when he volunteered as a mentor to Coach Brendon Bolton and his staff.
Walls was also one of those who helped set up the Lions for their 2001-03 premiership hat-trick, where he coached the likes of future flag heroes such as Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis, Justin Leppitsch, Chris Scott and Craig McRae in the mid-1990s.
Walls' health struggles began last year when he found himself grappling with pain and sleep interference.
He was cleared of any heart issues, but 24 hours after a basic blood test, Walls learned of his diagnosis over the phone.
'(The doctor said) “Go to Epworth emergency now,”' he recalled.
'I was by myself, and I thought “Jesus, he’s abrupt and straight to the point.”'
In addition to chemotherapy sessions in the hospital, he would also spend months going in and out of the hospital and wearing a chemo bag.
'I wasn’t shattered or felt cheated,' Walls shared.
'I just thought, I’ve had a wonderful life. I’m 73, and Erin passed away 18 years ago. She never saw the grandkids grow up.'
'I’ve got seven grandkids, the oldest is Tara, 19, and the youngest is Daisy, 5, and the others are in between, and I’ve seen them grow up and I want to see more of that.'
'That’s my incentive, to get a few more years. I don’t know how many more. If I could get a few more years, I’d happily sign off.'
Walls cited broadcasting icon Sandy Roberts as his inspiration, who himself is fighting a rare and incurable blood cancer but is now also reportedly in remission.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story carried a quote attributed to Walls stating that he consulted his 'chronologist' about his cancer. It has since been revised to state his likely meaning, which is his specialised doctor. We regret the oversight.
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