The AFL has confirmed that Sunday’s game between Adelaide and Geelong will not go ahead following the tragic death of Crows senior coach Phil Walsh.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan made the announcement during a media conference at AFL House on Friday afternoon and during what was a brief news conference he also confirmed that the remainder of the round will still go ahead, starting with the blockbuster between Collingwood and Hawthorn.
As expected McLachlan confirmed that the match between the Crows and Cats, which was scheduled for Adelaide Oval on Sunday, will now be cancelled with both teams awarded two competition points as per the AFL rules.
He also confirmed that the remainder of AFL Round 14, which started last night with a Sydney victory over Port Adelaide at the SCG, will still go ahead.
A clearly emotional McLachlan read from a statement during his brief media conference said that the AFL world was in mourning following the tragic death of Walsh.
“Today, I have spoken with many people in the industry, briefed all our club CEOs and presidents and the AFL Commission. There have been discussions about the game on Sunday and even about the round,” said McLachlan.
“We have decided that the game on Sunday between Adelaide and Geelong will not go ahead.”
“This is a decision of the competition as a remark of respect to Phil Walsh. It is our decision, because while playing footy can be part of the grieving process, we are strongly of the few that it is not fair to ask the young men of the Adelaide Crows or the Geelong Cats to play in these circumstances.”
“This decision has the support of the clubs and the players’ association. The premiership points will be split between the two clubs as per the AFL rules.”
“The remaining seven games will go ahead from tonight. We know that the usual fun and 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 and in support of the family and friends of a great football man, who was loved by so many.”
McLachlan added: “The sorrow and the stress felt today touches many in our industry because Phil Walsh gave such a lot to our game.”
“He was a man of boundless energy, enthusiasm and great intelligence.”
“He was part of the AFL family for 32 years and there are not many words of comfort today for those who feel his terrible loss in these most difficult of circumstances.”
“To his family, we can only say that your loved father and husband is in all our hearts and whatever support we can offer we will.”
“To the Adelaide Football Club, the AFL industry is with you in thoughts and in action today offering all the support we can.”
Both Adelaide and Geelong welcomed the AFL’s decision to cancel the match with the Crows chairman Rob Chapman speaking about the decision during a highly emotional media conference held on Friday afternoon.
“We believe the AFL has made the right decision for the football community,” an extremely emotional Chapman said at the media conference at Adelaide headquarters.
“We”d also like to thank the Geelong Football Club for their understanding and support of this decision,” added Chapman who sat alongside club CEO Andrew Fagan during the emotional media conference where they thanked the public for their support as they deal with this tragedy.
Added acting Cats CEO Rosie King: “The Geelong Football Club is supportive of the AFL’s decision.”
“This is a unique situation and the most important factor is the need for all those impacted by these tragic events to have the appropriate ability to mourn their loss.”
“Our thoughts remain with the Walsh family, and their friends, colleagues and the Adelaide Crows.”
The 55-year-old Walsh, who was in his first season as senior coach of Adelaide (7-5) was found deceased at his residence in the early hours of Friday morning.
His 26-year-old son was arrested by the South Australian Police soon after and now has been formally charged with the murder of his father.
Walsh played 122 games during his VFL/AFL career as he played for three clubs in Collingwood, Richmond and Brisbane.
But it was in the coaches box that he made his mark, as he first made an impact at Geelong as their strength and conditioning coach before joining Port Adelaide as an assistant coach.
He then moved across the border to Western Australia where he was an assistant with West Coast for five years before being hired by the Crows as their senior coach late last year.
(Photo Source: Zimbio)