Phil Walsh (Australian footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phil Walsh |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Phillip Walsh | ||
| Date of birth | 15 March 1960 | ||
| Place of birth | Hamilton, Victoria, Australia | ||
| Date of death | 3 July 2015 (aged 55) | ||
| Place of death | Somerton Park, South Australia, Australia | ||
| Original team | Hamilton | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Phillip Walsh (born March 15, 1960 – died July 3, 2015) was a well-known Australian rules footballer and coach. He played for several teams in the Victorian Football League (VFL). These teams included Collingwood, Richmond, and the Brisbane Bears. His playing career lasted from 1983 to 1990. After he stopped playing, Walsh became an assistant coach for other big clubs. He worked with Geelong, West Coast, and Port Adelaide. In 2015, he became the main coach for the Adelaide Football Club.
On July 3, 2015, Phil Walsh passed away at his home in Somerton Park. He was 55 years old. His passing was a very sad event for the football community.
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Playing Career Highlights
Walsh mainly played as a wingman. This position involves running up and down the sides of the field. He made his VFL debut in 1983 with the Collingwood team. The next year, he moved to Richmond. He played 40 games for them over three seasons. Phil Walsh finished his playing career with the Brisbane Bears. He won their first-ever best and fairest award in 1987. This award goes to the team's best player.
Coaching Journey
After his playing days, Walsh started a new path in coaching.
Early Coaching Roles
From 1996 to 1999, he was the fitness coordinator and senior team runner for the Geelong Football Club. In 1999, he joined the Port Adelaide Football Club as an assistant coach. He helped coach Port Adelaide to win the premiership in 2004. This was a huge achievement for the team. In the same year, he won the AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year award. He even coached one game for Port Adelaide in 2001 when the main coach was away.
Moving to West Coast
In 2009, Walsh moved to the West Coast team. He worked there as an assistant coach under John Worsfold.
Return to Port Adelaide
In 2014, he came back to South Australia. He rejoined the Port Adelaide Football Club as an assistant coach. His special focus was on midfield strategy. This means he helped plan how the players in the middle of the field would play.
Adelaide Senior Coach
On October 7, 2014, Phil Walsh was chosen as the main coach for the Adelaide Football Club. He signed a three-year contract. This was a big step in his coaching career.
After his passing, assistant coach Scott Camporeale took over as the caretaker senior coach for the rest of the 2015 season.
Remembering Phil Walsh
Phil Walsh's passing on July 3, 2015, was a very sad day for Australian rules football. The Crows' next game, against Geelong, was cancelled. Both teams were given two premiership points. This was the only time a game was cancelled in the league's history.
The football community showed great respect for Phil Walsh. All other games for that round did not use a special banner or play club songs. Players also observed a minute's silence before games. All players wore a black armband to show their sadness and respect.
Personal Life
Phil Walsh grew up in Hamilton, Victoria. He was the youngest of seven children. Besides football, he also enjoyed playing cricket, tennis, and basketball. Walsh was known for being very dedicated to his coaching role at Adelaide. He would often wake up very early, between 2 AM and 5 AM, to start working. He was considered one of the smartest minds in modern football.
Images for kids
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Fans leave tributes to Walsh at the Adelaide Football Club's headquarters.
