'No "woe is me" at all': Footy legend shares devastating impacts of cancer before passing away
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The Australian football community recently lost one of its most respected and beloved figures.
Robert Walls passed away on 16 May at 74 years old.
Walls' story is not just one of sporting greatness but also of resilience, family tragedy, and a remarkable outlook on life in the face of adversity.
Prior to his passing, Robert Walls was seen as a legend of the Carlton Football Club.
He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer back in 2023, which led to a long health battle.
For Walls, cancer was a cruel and persistent shadow that loomed over his family for decades.
'No “woe is me” at all. My sister's had cancer, her husband had cancer, their little boy, when he was four, had cancer and lost his arm,' Walls shared in an interview.
'He's now 35 or 36 and a strapping big bloke. How tough is that?
'My wife passed away at 55. S***, I'm in my 70s,' he lamented.
'I've got nothing to complain about, nothing at all.'
Walls' humility and gratitude shone through despite facing his diagnosis.
'If I were to die tomorrow, I'd say how fortunate I've been,' he said.
He spoke of his joy at seeing his seven grandchildren grow up, something his late wife never had the chance to do.
Meanwhile, his football career was nothing short of extraordinary.
Walls played 218 games for Carlton between 1967 and 1978 before finishing his playing days at Fitzroy.
He kicked 444 goals and was a key part of three premiership-winning teams.
As a coach, Walls led Carlton to a Grand Final victory and had stints at Fitzroy, Brisbane, and Richmond.
After hanging up his boots and clipboard, Walls became a respected voice in the media as he wrote for The Age and gave sporting commentary for Channel Seven.
Walls' final years were marked by a gruelling battle with cancer, which saw him spend more than 250 nights inside a hospital for over two years.
When the disease returned, and the prospect of treatment became too much, Walls decided to access Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws—a choice available since 2019.
His family shared that he spent his last weeks in the company of loved ones and bade his farewells.
He passed away peacefully in his unit overlooking the MCG, the spiritual home of the game he loved.
Tributes then flowed after Walls' passing.
Carlton Football Club described him as a 'remarkable person' who showed 'extraordinary courage'.
'We spoke about footy, life, he gave me some advice, and I made sure that he knew what a legacy he had left and thanked him for all that he'd done,' Paul Roos, who played under Walls at Fitzroy, shared in a statement.
'It was an amazing conversation and one that I think not many people have the chance to do.'
'He was a hard man, but I loved that hardness in him. He was also ahead of his time, a real visionary,' Stephen Kernahan, another Carlton great, further added.
'Wallsy was a great mentor and friend to me and I'm shattered I'm not going to see him again.'
Walls' story is a reminder that even our sporting heroes are not immune to life's toughest challenges.
His openness about his family's struggles with cancer has sparked meaningful conversations about illness, loss, and the right to die on one's terms.
Robert Walls will be remembered beyond his achievements on the field.
As he himself said: 'I've had a wonderful life.'
If you or someone you know is affected by cancer or is considering end-of-life options, there are support services available, including Cancer Council Australia (13 11 20) and Lifeline (13 11 14).
Robert Walls passed away on 16 May at 74 years old.
Walls' story is not just one of sporting greatness but also of resilience, family tragedy, and a remarkable outlook on life in the face of adversity.
Prior to his passing, Robert Walls was seen as a legend of the Carlton Football Club.
He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer back in 2023, which led to a long health battle.
Robert Walls had a storied career as an athlete and a coach. Image Credit: AFL
For Walls, cancer was a cruel and persistent shadow that loomed over his family for decades.
'No “woe is me” at all. My sister's had cancer, her husband had cancer, their little boy, when he was four, had cancer and lost his arm,' Walls shared in an interview.
'He's now 35 or 36 and a strapping big bloke. How tough is that?
'My wife passed away at 55. S***, I'm in my 70s,' he lamented.
'I've got nothing to complain about, nothing at all.'
Walls' humility and gratitude shone through despite facing his diagnosis.
'If I were to die tomorrow, I'd say how fortunate I've been,' he said.
He spoke of his joy at seeing his seven grandchildren grow up, something his late wife never had the chance to do.
Meanwhile, his football career was nothing short of extraordinary.
Walls played 218 games for Carlton between 1967 and 1978 before finishing his playing days at Fitzroy.
He kicked 444 goals and was a key part of three premiership-winning teams.
As a coach, Walls led Carlton to a Grand Final victory and had stints at Fitzroy, Brisbane, and Richmond.
After hanging up his boots and clipboard, Walls became a respected voice in the media as he wrote for The Age and gave sporting commentary for Channel Seven.
Walls' final years were marked by a gruelling battle with cancer, which saw him spend more than 250 nights inside a hospital for over two years.
When the disease returned, and the prospect of treatment became too much, Walls decided to access Victoria's voluntary assisted dying laws—a choice available since 2019.
His family shared that he spent his last weeks in the company of loved ones and bade his farewells.
He passed away peacefully in his unit overlooking the MCG, the spiritual home of the game he loved.
Tributes then flowed after Walls' passing.
Carlton Football Club described him as a 'remarkable person' who showed 'extraordinary courage'.
'We spoke about footy, life, he gave me some advice, and I made sure that he knew what a legacy he had left and thanked him for all that he'd done,' Paul Roos, who played under Walls at Fitzroy, shared in a statement.
'It was an amazing conversation and one that I think not many people have the chance to do.'
'He was a hard man, but I loved that hardness in him. He was also ahead of his time, a real visionary,' Stephen Kernahan, another Carlton great, further added.
'Wallsy was a great mentor and friend to me and I'm shattered I'm not going to see him again.'
Walls' story is a reminder that even our sporting heroes are not immune to life's toughest challenges.
His openness about his family's struggles with cancer has sparked meaningful conversations about illness, loss, and the right to die on one's terms.
Robert Walls will be remembered beyond his achievements on the field.
As he himself said: 'I've had a wonderful life.'
