AFL cancels match after Phil Walsh's son charged with his murder

Sunday's AFL match between Adelaide and Geelong has been cancelled in light of Crows coach Phil Walsh's death.

Adelaide Crows fans leave tributes at the football club headquarters at AAMI stadium.

Adelaide Crows fans leave tributes at the football club headquarters at AAMI stadium. (AAP) Source: AAP

Adelaide's AFL match with Geelong will not be played and treated as a draw after Crows coach Phil Walsh was found dead on Friday morning.

His 26-year-old son has been charged with murdering his father during an argument at the family's Adelaide home.

Cy Jacob Walsh, 26, entered no plea on Friday afternoon during the brief hearing at Adelaide's Flinders Medical Centre.

He's been remanded in custody to reappear in court again on September 15.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the match would be cancelled "as a mark of respect" after discussions with both clubs, the players association, with premiership points to be split.

"While playing footy can be part of the grieving process, we are strongly of the view it is not fair to ask the young men at the Adelaide Crows or the Geelong Cats to play in these circumstances," he said.

"The sorrow and stress felt today touches many in our industry as Phil Walsh gave a lot to our game.

"He was part of the AFL family for 32 years and there are not many words of comfort today to those who feel this terrible loss."

McLachlan said postponing the remaining fixtures in round 15 was considered, but would instead be played.

"The remaining seven games will go ahead from tonight," he said.

"We know that the usual passion of our game will not be there.

"We also know that our clubs, members and supporters will gather in the spirit of respectful mourning in support for the family and friends for a great football man who was loved by so many."

Walsh's death most immediately impacts the Crows but his AFL footprint extends far and wide.

Walsh played 122 games between Collingwood, Richmond and Brisbane before moving into coaching.

He worked as a fitness coach at Geelong, then an assistant at Port Adelaide where he helped win the club's maiden AFL flag in 2004.

Walsh moved to West Coast from 2009 before returning to the Power in 2014.

He was appointed as Adelaide's senior coach in October last year.

AFL House has placed its flags at half-mast to mourn Walsh's death.

McLachlan said the AFL was "working closely with all of our partners" to consider the ramifications of cancelling a match, which includes travelling fans.

Domestic dispute turns into tragedy

Walsh, 55, died after being stabbed multiple times during a domestic dispute at the family in the Adelaide suburb of Somerton Park around 2am on Friday.

The son was arrested at a home in East Glenelg and taken to Flinders Medical Centre where he's undergoing a mental health assessment which can take up to 24 hours.

His mother, Meredith, was stabbed in the leg and is being treated at the same hospital.

Superintendent Des Bray told reporters outside the family's Somerton Park home that there had been an argument in the home at 2am on Friday.

"I can't tell you anything about the argument or the circumstances, but as a result of that both Mr Walsh and his wife received the wounds," Supt Bray said.

Watch the press conference here:
Police found his son at a friend's home in Glenelg East.

A knife was used in the attack and was found at the scene. 

Walsh, 55, died despite the attempts of ambulance crews.

Superintendent Bray said the domestic incident was a tragedy.

"For any family, regardless of who it is, it's one of the worst things that you could imagine that could happen to you," he said.

"The only thing that is different with this is that he has a high profile. The pain and suffering of the family is no
different."

In an interview in April, Walsh said his focus on his career had impacted on his family life. He had been a player and coach for more than 33 years.

"I just immersed myself, got consumed and was selfish with as much time I committed to footy," he said.

"I lost that connection and I'm trying to reconnect with my son, which I have done.

Walsh's death has shocked Adelaide and the AFL. He was appointed the Crows senior coach last October.

The Crows are sitting seventh on the table and were set to play Geelong on Sunday.

Players in shock

The AFL is yet to comment, but players past and present have expressed their shock.

Geelong star Tom Hawkins said the news was shocking.

"Such horrific news to wake up and hear of the passing of Phil Walsh! It's hard to comprehend that a man that has touched many lives is gone," he tweeted.

Former Richmond player and Nine Network commentator Nathan Brown said the death would impact many AFL clubs.

"He played for Collingwood, he played for Brisbane," he said.

"He's been at West Coast, he's been at half the AFL clubs.

This is going to touch so many people."

Former Hawthorn player Shane Crawford described the news as "unbelievable" and "extremely sad" on Twitter.

Former Crows star Wayne Carey tweeted: "Thoughts are with everyone that Phil Walsh has touched on this very sad day."

Major Crime detectives are investigating.

Phil Walsh AFL career

The AFL career of Phil Walsh spanned more than three decades.

Phil Walsh played 122 VFL games for Collingwood, Richmond and the Brisbane Bears from 1983 - 1990.

He started his post-playing career as a strength and conditioning coach at Geelong before becoming assistant coach at Port Adelaide in 1999, where he helped the Power to a 2004 premiership.

In 2009 he moved on to West Coast as an assistant coach under John Worsfold.

In 2014, he returned to South Australia as an assistant coach, specialising in midfield strategy, at Port Adelaide.

He was appointed Crows coach in the 2014 off-season, replacing the sacked Brenton Sanderson.


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