IT was with disbelief that football fans woke to the news of Phil Walsh’s death yesterday.
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That shock and grief was felt nowhere more deeply that at the Adelaide Football club, where Walsh was described as “the chosen one” — the man to lead them to their next premiership.
But though he was Adelaide’s chosen one, Walsh had connections with other clubs stretching from coast to coast — Collingwood, Richmond, Brisbane, Geelong, Port Adelaide and West Coast.
But premierships and football seemed of little importance yesterday as fans and the wider community tried to come to terms with the pointless and early death of the 55-year-old, allegedly at the hands of his son Cy.
Cy Walsh appeared at a bedside court hearing in a psychiatric ward, entering no plea to a murder charge.
Adelaide supporters gathered outside the football club throughout the day, laying flowers, cards, jerseys and scarves.
Crows chairman Rob Chapman said he and the club had been overwhelmed by tributes and support from others in the football world and wider community.
That support will need to continue in the weeks and months ahead as the AFL community comes to grips with an unprecedented tragedy.