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I just want to share my experience with Phil to you all. Growing up like many young men, it was always my dream to play afl. So when I got invited to Glenelg u/17 as a 15 year old, I was absolutely stoked. My first season was spread between living in south east south australia and heading to adelaide. My second season was interrupted by issues at home and Glenelg didn't really see a future for me however port adelaide did. As I was now nearly 17 I was in the u/19 squad and the then port adelaide afl midfield coach was in charge of our first session. I remember thinking that I didn't belong at this level but after our initial training and subsequent meeting, Phil told me I had all the attributes to be a solid league footballer. As the season wore on Phil could see issues at home or outside of football were taking their toll and consequently harming my output. The term father figure gets thrown around far too often these days, but that was exactly what Phil was. Half way through year 12 when it became too much and I dropped out on top of a knee injury, Phil drove with me back to the south east to my family home to sit down with my parents to see what we could do to turn my life around. Without going into too much detail, Phil would continue to have a mentoring role with me for a full season after, often calling me after a game to touch base, or see if I'd survived the weekend binge. Words can't describe the pain I feel today. I haven't spoken to Phil for close to 5 years except for a text to congratulate him on taking over the adelaide , but I'll never forget his influence on me as a teenager going through some turbulent times. The world has lost a great, caring and genuine man today and IL never be able to thank him enough for his time in my life. I know that I'm just one of many young players that he had this effect on and I can only imagine the pain that others, be it afl or never-weres like me are also going through. RIP Phil. THE world has lost a great person today.

I am an unabashed fan of Titus O'Reily - a very funny and clever writer - i had to repost what he wrote about this....sums up how i am feeling Some random thoughts on a bad morning All we are really looking for in this life is a connection. For all the brash talk sometimes of not needing anyone else, all we really want is some connection to other people, to something bigger than ourselves, to the broad mass of humankind. It’s kind of the reason we follow sport as passionately as we do. Deep down on a some level we know it’s silly, pointless really in the scheme of things. Yet it’s never really about a game where a bunch of people chase a ball around or arguing about whether one grown man properly disposed of the ball or held a mark long enough. It’s the human element, that connection to other people, often people we have never met. It’s even people we’ve never heard about but we know are out there. That mass of footy fans out there, all riding the highs and lows, all pouring time into something that only has meaning because we all choose to give it meaning. There are far better people than me to eulogise Phil Walsh. I imagine what we are all feeling is a very poor facsimile of what the people who actually knew him are currently feeling. So why do the rest of us react to this like we do? To the passing of someone we didn’t even know? After all, it’s a sad fact of life that wonderful people pass away all the time, often to the ignorance of the majority of us. I think we react like this because what we feel is the breaking of one of those connections. Someone who cared about something we did, who shared experiences, probably admired people we did and shared the joy and frustrations of this game is gone. We also sense something that is at the heart of much of life; that it often makes no sense. Searching for meaning where there is none is part of why we all feel a bit lost this morning. The only comfort I can find in this is that so many others are feeling what I’m feeling today. We’re all connected because of football and we are lucky to be. Vale Phil Walsh

I have removed a number of inappropriate posts (and those that quote them). This is a very sensitive time (I for one am reeling still) - keeping the speculation out of it would be greatly appreciated. I've also adjusted the thread title.

Thanks for cleaning this thread up mods. I have to admit to knowing very little about Walsh beyond the fact that he had played at various clubs and coached the Crows, but after reading the following, I have to say I have a lot of admiration for him as a person: Quoted from: http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/live-adelaide-crows-coach-phil-walsh-found-dead-20150702-gi455w.html

Sunday's game has been called off, with points to be shared between the two clubs. AFL says it's not fair to expect the players to play given the circumstances. I think they've made the right decision.

Walsh was a high profile figure - hence the media coverage. If he'd been say an Adelaide bricklayer and the same thing had happened, then we wouldn't have heard about it in Victoria. If any good is to come out of this, I hope it highlights the serious issue of family breakdown (for all sorts of reasons) that is happening in our society. Perhaps it will lead to some investigation of the ills that are festering in our midst and, maybe, some answers. I hope so. I don't have any.

Not sure if anyone mentioned it but would be good to see players not celebrating goals over the weekend as a mark of respect... We saw new zealand and west indies I think it was not celebrate any wickets or 50's/100's made after the passing of Phil Hughes, thought that was a nice gesture at the time

On a slightly different note, just watched Nathan Buckley on TV being interviewed about the Phil Walsh situation and its affect on the AFL. His responses were measured, considered and appropriate. In truthfulness, I find him to be that way when interviewed each week on 360 with Roosy. I am really impressed with him as a person and coach. Not something I thought I would say given how I perceived him as a player.

Gil said they'd spoken to every club and all were supportive. They probably didn't have any other choice, but well done to Geelong on foregoing what could be an important 2 points in the context of their season.

I feel sick. Awful story. I really feel for all involved.

Just heard Rob Chapman the crows speak. Hard for him receiving that phone call from the police then having to ring the leadership group to tell them there coach has been murdered. News reports were saying he has been stabbed to death but when you hear them say he was murdered for some reason that word just hits you differently. The game on sunday had to be cancelled. Phil worked at geelong as well even though it was awhile ago but there is now way the players could run out on sunday and play. They wouldn't be able to go out there and focus for the whole time. I'm guessing the boys are going to be spending a lot of time together talking about things receiving counselling and basically supporting each other. But its Phil's wife and daughter I feel for. His wife now has to deal with losing her husband in tragic circumstances and also coming to terms with her son doing what he did allegedly and a daughter has lost her dad and the relationship with her brother will never be the same.

Play the game as it should be played. Just spare a thought for the man and his family and friends Sad day indeed

I think the Crows will play. I expect them to consult the players individually and anyone who is not up to playing will not be forced to do so.

The tears of a man realising he cheated and still failed.

Thanks for posting that, hardtack. It gave me a much better sense of the man.

I feel physically sick. I was on my way to work when my husband rang and told me. I feel for everyone involved - its tragic. There is no way those players could get out there on Sunday and nor should they be expected to.

A life lost tragically. How many lives subsequently ruined? It all hangs on a thread doesn't it?

Arguably the worst story ever in AFL. We've never had a player killed on the field as far as I can remember, and for a unexpected tragedy like this to happen is unprecedented. I'm honestly sitting in shock on the train, what is wrong with this world.

Not sure that Trengove "has to prove himself at VFL level first"! Surely, if he gets in a full pre-season and 'proves himself in the NAB Challenge and practice matches, he plays from Round 1!

The ultimate copout: retiring right before a 2 year ban. Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. He only won the Brownlow in the year he was on the juice. Zero sympathy for drug cheats.

It's because too many on this site are obsessed with stats. Thankfully Roos isn't and he can see the contribution from players for what it is. We've had numerous players have a small impact on the stats sheet but then have a massive impact on so many other aspects of the game. Just read the the game day threads - how many people pipe up with comments on who hasn't touched the ball enough? I know last game h_h, who probably wasn't even watching the game, kept rabbiting on about how Howe had no disposals to half time. Yet his ability to bring the ball to ground directly contributed to three goals we kicked in the first half. But because that's not on the stats sheet many think he is having a poor game and that he is 'already gone' at the end of the year. Perspective isn't a word put into practice around here these days and it's a damn shame.

Sorry, Demon Jack, you've broken one of Demonland's rules. You're only allowed to compare Naitinui with Jack Watts.

Great gesture by both teams at the end of the game

Don't forget that Robbo is available (for a fee) to write favourable articles though. Young man loses his way - expose him. Regimented drug injection regime - defend them. What's not to like?

He cheated and won a brownlow.

That is just BS. Jobe had turned it around a long time before Turd had become coach. He has also been IMO Injectiondon's most honest person when in the media so I can't understand the angst towards him.

It's hard to imagine anything worse happening to any family. Our hearts & thoughts & prayers go out to them. Hope they get all the support they need.

Horrendous news and my heart goes out to all involved. You are spot on IMO, let the Crows players decide. When I was working as a skydive pilot, I was doing the night rating flights for some skydivers, just before the final flight the news came through that a skydiver who was also a pilot and a good friend had passed away. I was devastated, I told one mate that I was going to cancel the final flight but he asked me, what would she want. I had no doubt she would have wanted the skydivers to get their night rating, so we did the flight. It was the hardest flight of my life, but I felt I had to do it, I wanted to do it because I knew that it was the best way I could honour her and I was absolutely certain it is what she would have wanted. So, what every one else thinks means squat, it's up to the Adelaide crows players to decide what they want to do, something they would discuss with the club and Phil's family. Everyone else is irrelevant.

It should be left to the Crows players to decide what they want to do. Awful news that puts football into perspective. Cannot lose sight of this first of all as a family tragedy.

Lance Uppercut. I see on bigfooty you are arguing that's it's far fetched to suggest that News Ltd are running a campaign to push the Hird agenda. If you think that's far fetched, then you don't know much about the world of Murdoch. (Murdoch himself probably knows nothing and cares less about anything to do with Essendon.) News constantly run campaigns against organisations and individuals, and it's not alway to do with Murdoch's bottom line. Sometimes it's just because. Take Robert Manne as an instance. Or anyone who crosses them generally. A million more examples came out in the phone hacking scandal in Britain. It is entirely believable that News would take up the cudgels on Hird's behalf.

Sure Harley is a mess, and blowing his god given talents, but surely he doesn't deserve to have his life ruined by the herald sun like that. They've showed rapists more respect than that. Its an absolute disgrace.

Sitting around on Sunday not playing may be a worse scenario?? Very tough decision...

That may well be the case. I highly doubt they would cancel the round. Too hard. TBH, I would not be surprised to see Adelaide play this weekend as they would believe Walshy would have wanted them too.

More likely the AFL are hoping no one will notice.

Melbourne FC ‏@melbournefc 41m41 minutes ago Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Phil Walsh and the @Adelaide_FC at this time.

by or buy - it can happen so easily to all of us. No matter how hard I try I find that often a small grammar or spell error slips past. We are both but human.

This sucks the air out of your lungs. Absolutely horrible.

Micro-doping! Its a new phrase to me! It means: "players using tiny amounts of performance-enhancing substances such as testosterone and human growth hormone, which were undetectable". Its the next big AFL issue and the AFL have no idea about it! http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/microdoping-next-challenge-for-afl-warns-player-agent-peter-jess-20150702-gi3tet.html An interesting comment from Judd quoted in the article: "Therefore, the next generation of drug cheats will be caught via surveillance of gyms, anti-ageing clinics and internet purchases, not by urine or blood tests." His reference to anti-ageing clinics brings the whole EFC saga back into focus. Maybe the players were getting their micro-dope fix there! The performance improvement for an athlete is significant: "The micro-doping in the VO2 max [fitness] test, on average, improved the athlete's results by a massive 6.1 per cent. In the 3000-metre run, there was an average improvement of 2.8 per cent." It must be tempting for footballers (and other athletes) if they can't be found out. EFC aside, before long we will be assuming that no sportsperson is clean. A very sad day that will be.

And we can become an even better side if he started kicking goals. He was good in patches but is it too much to as from a premiership CHF that we have paid 500k a year to actually start hitting the scoreboard..?? What he does off the ball is great but when your a big forward target you are also expected to kick goals. 3 goals from 6 games is simply not good enough. There are no excuses this week considering WC depleted backline.

The Hun has that perfected that Murdochian combination of slavering voyeurism and tut-tutting puritanism. They're [censored] hypocrites like all Murdoch rags.

Oh poor Jobbey. Boo Hoo Only 4 and 8 half way through the season. You better hurry up and retire before they decide you can't play for 2 years.

A goal from him once in a blue moon would be handy.. Just saying

I believe the nazis tried a similar thing...

Also will be interested to see if Nic Nat starts ruck rover first bounce, have seen them do this to us, and other teams, more than once to good effect. Dunno how we will counter that. Maybe a little off topic but I just scratched my nose with a hotdog, how strange is that?

Dale Lewis needs an apology...