Robert Walls Medal to debut in Round 9 Brisbane-Carlton clash
robert walls will be honoured in Round 9 when the best player on the ground in Brisbane’s clash with Carlton receives the Robert Walls Medal. It will be the second time the medal has been awarded, and it comes approaching the one-year anniversary of Walls’ passing on 15 May 2025.
The medal was created to perpetuate his memory across the two clubs where he made a major mark as a player, coach and media personality. Carlton and Brisbane are the links in this tribute, and the award puts the performance in this match ahead of any wider ceremony.
Walls at Carlton
Walls first arrived at Carlton in the summer of 1966 after accepting an invitation to train at Princes Park on his pushbike. He went on to play 218 matches for Carlton through 12 seasons to 1978, led the club as captain and twice won its goalkicking honours.
His Carlton record also stretches beyond his own playing days. He was elevated to Legend status in the Carlton Hall of Fame in 2011, a recognition that sits alongside the club’s drought-breaking Grand Final win over Essendon in 1968, the come-from-behind premiership over Collingwood in 1970 and the Grand Final victory over Richmond in 1972, all of which included Walls.
Brisbane Lions recognition
Walls’ Brisbane connection came later, when he replaced Norm Dare as senior coach of the Brisbane Bears in 1991. His last game in charge coincided with Brisbane’s first final in 1995. He received Legend status at the Brisbane Lions last week, extending the formal recognition of his place in that club’s history.
His coaching career also included Fitzroy, where he coached the club to the finals in three of his five years at the helm, and Carlton, which he returned to as senior coach in late 1985 after David Parkin swapped roles with him. Walls then guided Carlton to the 1987 premiership.
Round 9 award
The Round 9 medal gives the match a clear individual prize: the best player on the day takes the honour named for a figure whose influence ran through both clubs. That focus keeps the tribute tied to the contest itself rather than a separate presentation, and it gives the Brisbane-Carlton game a direct measure of performance beyond the final score.
Walls was born in Dunolly and raised in Brunswick, then became known as a senior League footballer at 27 and as a coach who shaped players including Paul Roos, Gary Pert, Scott Clayton and Richard Osborne. The medal now carries that record into a second presentation, with Brisbane and Carlton sharing the stage once more.
