Adelaide and West Coast will come together to honour Phil Walsh at the AFL match in Perth on Saturday night.
The game at Domain Stadium will be the Adelaide Football Club’s first since the tragic passing of its respected Senior Coach. It will also be a significant occasion for the Eagles, where Walsh spent five years as an assistant coach from 2009 to 2013.
As was the case across the competition last weekend, there will be no banners or club songs played as the teams run out onto the ground. Players from both teams will wear black arm bands and will observe a minute’s silence prior to the game.
After the match, players and coaches will link up around the centre circles and participate in a moment of silence in keeping with the tribute started by Hawthorn and Collingwood last Friday night.
Crows Chief Executive Officer Andrew Fagan said it was the first opportunity for Adelaide’s players, coaches, staff and supporters to come together to publicly pay their respects to Walsh.
“This is our first game since Walshy tragically passed away and the entire Crows family wants to take a moment to reflect on his significant contribution to our Club and football in general,” Fagan said.
“Saturday night is made extra special by the fact we are playing West Coast - a club where Walshy also left a lasting impression as an assistant coach. To this end, we would like to sincerely thank the Eagles for their co-operation and assistance in honouring our much-loved coach.
“The Club is extremely grateful and appreciative of the care and support shown by the entire Australian sporting community and public in recent days. Our thoughts continue to be with Meredith and the Walsh family.”
Adelaide and Central District will also pay tribute to Walsh at the SANFL match at Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon. There will be no club songs or banners, and a minute’s silence will be observed before the game. The players will also wear black armbands.
Fagan said the Crows were also working closely with Port Adelaide to arrange a fitting tribute to Walsh at the AFL Showdown on July 19.