Deadspin: Aussie Rules Football Coach Killed, Son Held For The Stabbing

All told, he spent 33 years in the game.

“It’s devastating…This is a crisis unprecedented, there is no rule book, and we are dealing with it”.

“We’ll be talking to Adelaide about that, I don’t know what that looks like…”

Hundreds of people have laid flowers, cards, scarves and other items of tribute at the doors of the club.

Adelaide Crows gear adorns the houses of devastated supporters. “Love each other. Thoughts with all family and friends”.

“Our game is in mourning today”, McLachlan said.

“What a tragic day for the Walsh family and the @Adelaide_FC community”, tweeted Georgia Harms from Adelaide.

And in a repeat of the powerful scene at the end of Friday’s match, players from both sides linked arms in a circle on the middle of the MCG once the game ended.

“What a tragedy. A great man lost”.

After a successful career as an assistant at several clubs, Walsh was appointed senior coach at Adelaide on 7 October 2014.

Crows captain Taylor Walker has described “a pretty numb feeling” at the club as players try to come to terms with the stabbing death of their mentor. “He’s made a tremendous contribution to our club over two stints”, Thomas said.

“When we lose someone before their time, we need to acknowledge that”.

Walsh’s son Cy has been arrested on suspicion of his father’s murder.

In an interview with Australian newspaper the Herald Sun in April, Walsh said that his obsession with the sport had caused a “disconnect” with his son.

Superintendent Des Bray told reporters outside Walsh’s home that there had been an argument. “The victim’s son, was arrested earlier this morning on First Avenue, Glenelg East and has since been charged with murder”.

The son was detained for psychiatric assessment and was under guard at hospital.

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

“For any family, regardless of who it is, [this is] one of the worst things you could imagine that could happen to you”.

“It is not just that he is a high profile person”.

The players gathered at the Club on Saturday morning for a meeting and light kick on AAMI Stadium. He’s been at West Coast, he’s been at half the AFL clubs. “The emotional impact is going to continue for some time, but physically we’ll get the boys back moving as quickly as possible”.

Ex- Collingwood teammate Tony Shaw said he was left in “total shock” by the news. It was a speech that resonated with many. “This is an extraordinary bit of news”.

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

Clarkson said it was imperative the whole football world provided strength and support to those at the Crows.

“Some of them are a little older and had experience with Phil in his first stint with Port Adelaide and some of the boys are in the midfield and had a lot to do with him past year, so there’s been a variety of reactions”.

The Adelaide Football Club said it welcomed the decision, saying its focus at this point was on the welfare of everyone involved.

“We ask if you could please respect the privacy of his family, as well as our players, coaches and staff, at this extremely hard time”, it added.

Walsh’s death is a far darker story.

He took over as Adelaide coach after Brenton Sanderson’s sacking.

Russell didn’t think the Crows could play the Cats on Sunday.