BREAKING: Adelaide Crows coach Phil Walsh murdered

Jack McAnespie
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• 8 min read
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Walsh’s son Cy, 26, has been arrested over the alleged incident, with police confirming the first-year coach was murdered overnight. 

Police and ambulance crews were called to the house in Bungey Avenue in Adelaide shortly after 2am this morning following a domestic dispute. 

Walsh, 55, received multiple stab wounds following an argument with his son, and it has now been confirmed that the 26-year-old has been charged with Walsh's murder.

The murder weapon was a knife, which was found at the murder scene. 

Walsh's son fled the scene, but was found a short time later by police and was arrested, and now charged for murder. 

Walsh's son was found in Glenelg East, and will undergo psychiatric assessment at the nearby Flinders' medical centre. 

It is understood that Walsh's daughter, 22, is currently on an overseas holiday. 

Walsh was treated by paramedics at the scene, but was confirmed dead on site. 

Walsh's wife, Meredith has also been taken to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries that she sustained to her leg in the altercation. 

South Australian police superintendent Des Bray addressed the media this morning. 

“Ambulance crews immediately rendered first aid and tried to resuscitate (him) but unfortunately he died shortly afterwards,” police superintendent Des Bray said.

“His wife also suffered a wound. Police were able to establish that at about 2am, the son of the family has attended (the house) and there has been an argument. 

"As a result Mr Walsh and his wife have received the wounds.

“As I understand the son ordinarily lives there. Somebody from the house has called triple zero.

“We can’t speak to the son at this stage. As the investigation unfolds, I’m sure we’ll find out what happened. It’s just a terrible, tragic event.”

Former Richmond player and Channel Nine commentator, Nathan Brown said that the death was shocking, and would rock all corners of the AFL community. 

"I'm shocked," said Brown.

"At the moment beside myself that a lot of players are going to wake up today and be on their way to training and find out this news.

"He played for Collingwood, he played for Brisbane. He's been at West Coast, he's been at half the AFL clubs. This is going to touch so many people."

Countless personalities from across all sporting codes have paid tribute to Walsh, including former Brisbane teammate Matthew Campbell, former Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea and Queensland Maroons and Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith.

Tributes have also poured out across social media platforms with many paying their repsects to Walsh.  

Walsh had been involved in coaching circles in the AFL for more than two decades, was assistant coach with Port Adelaide in their premiership year in 2004, and was in his first year of senior coaching at the Crows in 2015. 

The Crows were due to play Geelong at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon, however AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has confirmed that the game has been cancelled, with the premiership points split. 

The AFL has said that there is no contingency plan for circumstances like this. 

 

The Adelaide Crows released a statement early this morning regarding the death of Phil Walsh on their club website. 

South Australian AFL journalist Michelangelo Rucci told Adelaide radio station, FIVEaa he couldn't believe the news this morning.

“I’m speechless... A person that so many of us knew so well, I just can’t understand how this can happen,” said Rucci.

“People who knew Phil Walsh will be waking up today in just absolute disbelief, just staggered, that has happened.

"This is an extraordinary bit of news.

“No one’s ever faced a situation like this. This is without precedent. There are going to be so many people who have to be counselled. So many people who will have to lead while dealing with this tragedy.

“There are many things that will have to play out over the next 24 hours in football.”

A short time ago, Adelaide Crows chairman Rob Chapman and CEO Andrew Fagan spoke to the South Australian media. 

"A couple of hours ago we spoke to the players about the match on Sunday and I think it'd be unfair and inappropriate to ask them to play, " Crows CEO Andrew Fagan said.

"And not just for our club, I think it'd be unfair for the Geelong Football club as well and that position was certainly shared by the playing group and communicated back to the AFL and we're very supportive of the stance they've taken."​

 

The career of Phil Walsh

1983: VFL debut with Collingwood, playing 22 games

1984: Moved to Richmond, going on to play 40 games over three years

1987: Makes move to Brisbane Bears, playing 60 games in four years

1995-98: Appointed strength and conditioning coach with Geelong Cats

1999-2008: Appointed midfield assistant at Port Adelaide, was part of 2004 premiership

2004: Awarded AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year

2009-2013: Appointed strategy & innovation coach at West Coast Eagles

2014: Appointed head midfield coach at Port Adelaide

2015: Appointed senior coach at Adelaide, in his first senior role

 

Author(s)
Jack McAnespie