Robert Walls with Theo Harms at the Fitzroy Bowls Club.
In recent days, following Robert Walls’s sad death at the age of 74, much has been written about his life, particularly in football.
I remember him from the days of black and white footy replays. When I was about seven years old, and already a veteran footy lover (and absorber) I knew the tall No. 42 played for Carlton. He seemed so old then.
We knew all the players. Footy cards helped.
One of my early footy memories of the ABC’s replay was Carlton kicking 30.30 against Hawthorn at Princes Park one day, a record-breaking score. For years I considered 13.17, the most exotic half-time score I could possibly imagine. And what names were in that side! Percy Jones who kicked seven, Jezza, six, and Brent Crosswell, four. Robert Walls played, but was one of the few to miss out on a goal.
In the years that followed, Robert Walls became, and remained, part of our lives, as a player, a coach and a commentator. Over the years, he struck me as his own man, but rather difficult to work out.
After moving back to Queensland, where media coverage of what was happening in Melbourne wasn’t flash, we saw and heard and read of him as a player and then as a successful coach. I would pore over The Age (in the newspaper room at Queensland Uni) and The Australian (which we had home-delivered) tried to cover every code, which was an impossible task.
But then Robert Walls came to Brisbane to coach the Bears. I suspect it wasn’t an easy tenure but I’d be interested to talk to more of the players he coached as young men, about the impact he had on them, because it’s those players who went on to be the nucleus of the great Lions sides.
It seems he was tough on his players – physically and psychologically. In 2003, Michael Voss, then skipper, told me that ‘Wallsy’ had been great for him personally as a young man and a footballer. He said those who could handle his approach benefited enormously. I suspect he was a terrific coach of the naturally talented, and of players who had drive.
But, for a long time, I didn’t ever meet Robert or hear him speak at an event outside the media. I try not to form an understanding of people from how they come across in the media, or how writers and analysts represent them. Although, inevitably I do form a view. Sometimes that view lines up. Sometimes their media presence is reasonably accurate portrayal. (Meeting Doug Hawkins in the press box at the Gabba confirmed there was no difference between him and his media persona – but that’s a story for another day.)
I can assure you that Robert Walls was not at the launch of historian Ross Fitzgerald’s book about the Bears 1995 season, Robert’s last Up North.
Of course, he became an elder statesman as a commentator and scribe, known for holding strong opinions and arguing his case.
When we moved to Melbourne in 2003, I could see firsthand the prominence he enjoyed, the respect he’d won, and impact he had.
I eventually met him, briefly. I think it was at a Lander & Rogers event. And bumped into him in the media room at the MCG, possibly over the sausage roll warmer.
The years went by.
I enjoyed the combination of Walls and Lane on Channel 10’s coverage; both Carlton men, both lovers of the game, both intelligent, thoughtful and insightful, both willing to have a subtle dig at each other in the interest of making the attentive viewer smirk.
I recall a moment in a pedestrian afternoon-game at the Gabba. Those of you who are aware of the geography of Brisbane will know that Mt Gravatt is very lucky to have been assigned mountain status. It’s a volcanic pimple which makes Mt Wycheproof look like Kilimanjaro. The commentary box, which is on the Vulture Street side, looks over the Stanley Street grandstand, to Mt Gravatt, a few kilometres to the south. Nothing is happening this particular afternoon. The crowd is quiet. Tim and Robert have exhausted all possible angles. The boundary umpire’s whistle blows, again, and as the ball is retrieved, I suspect Tim has looked up and noticed the geographical feature in the distance. “Did you ever scale the heights of Mt Gravatt while you were here in Brisbane, Robert?” he asked.
Wallsy just laughed. (I think it was a laugh).
When Theo played in the Under 10s at Fitzroy Juniors, the club would have Sunday night schnitzels. Sometimes the evening featured a guest. They were called fireside chats. On a freezing cold evening in about 2017, those who stayed for the function with Robert Walls were rewarded enormously. He was just wonderful, encouraging the young players – boys and girls – to love the game and enjoy every minute of it. Just as he had.
I felt I could recognise a hint of lament in his voice, for days gone by.
What struck me was how local this all was, and how connected he was. It was his locale. We were in the Fitzroy Bowls Club, next to the Brunswick Street Oval. A few blocks away is Nicholson Street and Carlton, and Princes Park. To the north is Brunswick where Robert grew up. Further north is Coburg where he went to high school. To the north-west is Essendon, the team of Robert’s childhood. All important places in Robert’s life.
He explained he was zoned to Carlton.
His story, evocatively told, of catching the tram with Bruce Doull as the two teenagers made their way down Sydney Road to Princes Park for their first training encapsulated so much. I could see them. I could feel their excitement, the promise. Two very young men – they are just boys in those early photos – with their lives ahead of them. With opportunity to show what they had inside them, in their hearts.
And both did.
Vale Robert Walls.
Read more from John Harms HERE
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About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is founder and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to Susan. They have three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
Terrific tribute JTH. I feel a bit the same as you – Walls has been part of my footy existence for as long as I can remember. When the Cats were rubbish in the 1970s I was looking for other heroes (not other teams!) and gravitated to Balme and Southby, and Doull, and Croswell. Walls was a bit of the anti-hero. The villain in the pantomime. But at the same time there was always enormous respect for his ability. He was beautiful to watch. Not quite Royce Hart but not far behind.
I always loved that he let himself go a bit in the commentary box with Rexy. I think we saw the real Walls there.
a wonderful tribute JTH
Of late, I have become a regular listener to the ABC’s ‘AFL Daily Podcast’ – why? As a student of coaching, I could listen to Paul Roos all day – on any topic!
Roos’ tribute to Walls was deeply heartfelt – brilliant stuff
Great tribute and insights, JTH. I was too young to see Walls play but I was a fan of the short-lived One Week At A Time on One (when Channel 10 had the footy rights). Yes, it was derivative of Talking Footy, but Walls made it compelling with his considered questioning, sincerity and uncompromising questions. As with the best of these shows it was only partly about footy and more about what made people tick.
Excellent JTH likewise try not to form an opinion on anyone before meeting them but yes we do.
V v v good player -Robert Walls and tough as well – enjoyed his analysis of the game in general it was genuine not just the click bait of now days.( couldn’t agree more-Russel ) thank you
A very fitting tribute, JTH.
I suspect that the toughness Walls the coach displayed, in no small part filtered down from RDB, the coach of his formative playing years.
A fine tribute to a fine man John.
A personal recollection involves an inner city gym where my Dad, his mate and I used to have a regular game of squash after work/school.
From time to time a tall skinny kid (guess who) would be in the change area before and/or after our game. Clearly he was there to have a workout to put some meat on his bones. I recall he seemed a quiet. reserved type – not up for a lot of banter. The odd g’day or comment on the weather was about it.
One night my Dad (a Carlton supporter) said to him that if he kept up with his gym work he might one day play for the mighty Blues. At this stage we had no idea he was on Carlton’s list.
Without a blink the kid replied “Yes mister, I’m playing for them this week!”. Dad didn’t know whether he was having his leg pulled, but sure enough there was Robert the following Saturday on debut for Carlton at age 16. Unbelievable. Dad was stoked.
Vale Robert. A life well lived.
Cheers, Burkie
I’m with you, Dips. Loved the Rex Hunt commentaries and agree Walls did seem to let himself go a bit on them, more the better for him, they all sounded like they were having a great time. Walls was a great ornament to the game and we are all poorer for his passing.
Fine man. Fine tribute. My memories of him as a player are that he defied convention and expectation. He looked skinny but he was wiry tough in a Chips Rafferty sort of way. He was bearded and bookish but hard and ruthless towards opponents. Trotsky in Blue.
Nothing befitted his life like the leaving of it. Soft hearted but hard headed.
I love this tribute, JTH.
I love the image of young R Walls and B Doull catching the tram down Sydney Road to training.
So local.
I always admired the way he backed up anything he called out with evidence or rationale.
And that he was able to apologise.
If the mark of a person is how they influence the lives of others, he seems to have left an enormous positive mark.
Superb piece, John
I always associate Robert Walls with Carlton’s 28.9 in the 72 grand final – and why wouldn’t I as he kicked 6 goals from centre half forward and was BOG? That’s a gf that always stands out because Richmond kicked 22. I’ve always remembered also that Big Nick kicked 6 goals but had forgotten until checking the scores the other day that Jezza booted 7. What wonderful attacking football. The Blues made a brilliant start and built a strong lead but there was one point at which the telecast was lost for the Race of the Day and the Richmond kicked 4 in 4 minutes.
Thanks Harmsy, for this wonderful tribute to one of the masters of the game.
I caught a clip from The Front Bar, when Walls was on talking about the creation of the huddle and strategising a kick-in after a point was scored. He said Fitzroy were ahead of the comp on this until one day at Victoria Park, as they readied to kick in, having created a huddle, the Pies players just stood back from the huddle. He reckoned a whole set of Roos players, not knowing what to do, turned and looked up at the coaches box. His response: “Buggered if I know; work it out yourselves!’ We had to go back to the drawing board.”
Great tribute, John.
As a Carlton supporter, I will always revere him as a member of that 1972 team. Then to be a Premiership coach as well – it doesn’t get any better than that!
A pity that he went on to coach Richmond, but of course a coach has to go where they can!
A man who gave his best and brought it out in others. Vale Wallsy.
Wonderful tribute JTH.
Walls was brilliant in the media, while his work at the Bears was vital for the national competition.
A sad loss for football.