SYDNEY: The coach of Australian Football League (AFL) side Adelaide Crows was killed at his house today during a domestic dispute, police alleged, with his son arrested.
Phil Walsh, 55, was treated at the scene by paramedics after police were called to the home in the Adelaide suburb of Somerton Park but they were unable to save him.
“Police can confirm that the man murdered at Somerton Park in the early hours of the morning is Phil Walsh, coach of the Adelaide Crows,” police said in a statement.
“Ambulance crews treated a seriously injured 55-year-old man at the home but sadly he died at the scene. The man’s son, aged 26, has been arrested but no charge has yet been laid.”
Walsh’s wife is in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Superintendent Des Bray added to reporters outside the home that there had been an argument.
“I can’t tell you anything about the argument or the circumstances, but as a result of that both Mr Walsh and his wife received the wounds,” Bray said, adding that a knife was used.
Walsh played 122 games for Collingwood, Richmond and the Brisbane Bears between 1983 and 1990 before turning to coaching and his death will reverberate through the game, commonly known as Aussie Rules.
“I’m shocked,” said Nathan Brown, former Richmond player and Nine Network commentator.
“He played for Collingwood, he played for Brisbane. He’s been at West Coast, he’s been at half the AFL clubs. This is going to touch so many people.”--AFP