http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... bert+Walls

Reading around on different forums I can't help but feel that Wallsy is disrespected to a fair degree considering his awesome playing and coaching career. I'd be willing to bet that a fair few critics wouldn't realise the accomplishments of the Carlton/AFL Hall of Famer.

To me it seems a great shame that this great Carlton man wasn't around for the '79 and '81 flags and was instead at Fitzroy having left after the disappointments of seasons '75, '76, '77 and the debacle of the early part of the 1978 season.

A 3 time premiership player ('68, '70 and B.O.G. in '72) and could've been 5 time PP. Perhaps he could've made a difference in the turmoil of 1980.
As coach he regrouped the boys in '87 after the Motley and English incidents to destroy the Hawks who were dominant in that period.

I would love to see Wallsy back at the club in some role as he is a bloke that calls things straight down the line without fear or favour and every club needs those types.

Thoughts?

You could try and look for negatives and you might find some, but bottom line is that he is a true champion and has the best interests of Carlton in his heart.

Loves Carlton.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

Agree entirely, Rexy. Walls' opinions may grate with some here, but I usually see it as a "truth hurts" kind of reaction.

Much better thinker about the game than almost anyone out there today

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

There is no doubt that Robbie Walls is a legend of the club (and I remember him sitting in front of me in the Heatley stand after playing in the twos as a 15 year old - him, not me).

I also admire his willingness to criticise any club (including ours) without fear or favour over many years. I also appreciate his obvious love for Carlton.

BUT: The last 2-3 years I'm afraid Robert has begun to show signs that he is losing it. His pontifications are becoming trite and predictable and his holier-than-thou attitude annoying.

I'm of the opinion he has reached his use-by date. Then again, maybe I've reached mine.

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"You can't polish a James Hird"

My criticism of Robert (above) relates to his commentary.

As a player and coach his contribution to the club has been matched by precious few.

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"You can't polish a James Hird"

Fair to say Rob was not an Ian Stewart fan.

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The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.

I always get the impression that his on-mic/screen persona is probably a fabrication of the producers of ch 10, who have asked him to ramp his style up to 11.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Anyone who sees the 1972 GF will realize just what he could do as a player. He was frustrated by one coach (can't remember) who didn't want him to mark the footy but to knock it on for the shorts to run on to. He said that in an interview I saw a few years ago. As a coach he was inthe old fashioned school and came under alot of criticism fot a boxing incident at the Bears.

I like Walls's comments but wish he wouldn't write how some player or club is a rabble the week before they play Carlton.

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Let slip the Blues of war (with apologies to William Shakespeare) (and Sir Francis Bacon, just in case)

I really like Robert Walls as a commentator - he is about the only one who provides insight into tactics/match ups etc.


Another commentator I used to really like was Leigh Matthews (for the same reason). Malcolm Blight used to be good for the same reason, but seems to have lost a bit of enthusiasm in recent years.


The worst commentator by a long way was Tim Watson, he just repeated everything Matthews used to say. Just shockingly bad. Do Channel 7 have any good commentators other than Commeti? I can't think of any off the top of my head.

Watson is as good a commentator as he was coach

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Anyone who thinks Sheedy is a wanker is ok in my book

Wallsy was very intelligent and very quick for a guy of 6'4"; and he invented a new way of leading for the ball on the forward line.

All forwards led towards the guy passing the ball downfield....or out to the side.....but not Robert..

Wallsy would make a move sideways; then run back towards the goal; all the time looking back at the incoming flight of the ball.

His team mates would then kick the ball so that it would go over Wallsy's head as he ran into an open goal with the ball.

He was also very innovative in his Coaching career with Carlton...Fitzroy and Brisbane.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

A close relative of mine said that Robert Walls punched Ian Stewart out at training one night.

Something about Ian Stewart asking Robert Walls where Bruce Doull was (his mother had died apparently). Ian Stewart said well he's not dead - and the upshot of all this was that Ian Stewart resigned due to a 'heart' problem and that Walls ended up leaving for Fitzroy.

Bloody legend in my book ... always have time for him ... whatever he says about the Blues is always with the best intentions.

He loves the club and has done more for it than most.

You can always tell when Carlton is up and he's commentating, love listening to him!

Love how he makes it publicly known that he LOVES Carlton and HATES Essendon*....
I respect Wallsy, but can see why some more sensitive types can get offside with his 'straight talking' style....

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James Hird and Essendon* FC - #FOREVERDRUGCHEATS

Good carlton man and I enjoy his media work...tells it like it is and doesnt wear navy blue glasses when giving you the facts.
Anyone who dislikes Essendon* and Kevin Sheedy will always get my support....

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"When you have the attitude of a champion, you see adversity as your
training partner."
- Conor Gillen

Robert Walls should be on the Carlton Board. The past 10 years have been a disaster largely due to the fact that people like Walls and McClure have not been part of the inner sanctum, yet, in the case of Robert, have been thought of highly enough to select a grand final coach at another club

The one roll that Walls could do well would be to set some standards at every level.

It would've been good if he stood against someone like Gleeson who's had his time but has just been voted in again onto the boys club.

Knuckleheads like Betts Houla and Walker who've kept finding trouble wouldn't be given so many chances and the standard would be known by all. No more wet lettuce leaves...

If Wallsy reads TC I hope he considers running next time.

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There's so much I could say...

how can walls be on the board of an AFL club and carry out his media role with any integrity?

what's that? oh, that's right mcchins has lowered that bar

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... an eagle flew out of the night. he was something to observe, came in close i heard a voice, bending stretching every nerve, had to listen had no choice ...

Yeah, although the player in question could have been Peter Bedford, who left South Melbourne to get away from Stewart, only for Stewart to lob at Carlton too. ala McKernan / Pagan.

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The problem with Socialism is, you eventually run out of other people's money.