UPDATED: Rob Chapman was awoken at 3.30am by a phone call from the police, telling him that “a tragedy had unfolded, and it involved Phil Walsh”.
“That’s a phone call no-one ever wants to get,” the Crows chairman told media at West Lakes this afternoon.
Walsh was murdered, allegedly stabbed by his 26-year-old son Cy, in a domestic dispute that also saw his wife Meredith hospitalised.
Chapman, CEO Andrew Fagan, Football Operations Manager David Noble and media manager Ian Shuttleworth quickly convened at West Lakes to try and come to grips with what had happened — and what to do next.
It was, says Chapman, crisis management.
“This is a crisis unprecedented…(there’s) no rule-book,” he said.
“And we’re dealing with it.”
Fagan said the only positive was that a “football club is an environment that’s extraordinary in its ability to wrap itself around those that need care”.
He said there was disbelief within the club.
“People are walking through the corridors just looking at each other, shaking their heads,” he told reporters.
“It’s really hard to comprehend.
“I can’t speak for tomorrow … we have got to get through today.”
The Adelaide Football Club called in counsellors and other specialists to support grieving players, with this Sunday’s clash with Geelong cancelled, the four points to be split evenly between both teams. By chance, the Crows next three matches were against teams Walsh had coached: the Cats, West Coast and Port Adelaide. The club’s next match will now be against the Eagles in Perth.
Chapman says the inner sanctum quickly contacted the leadership team and assistance coaches, with the players gathering at West Lakes from first light.
Shuttleworth told media gathered at the Crows’ West Lakes headquarters today that a large number of counsellors and support staff have been called in to offer support.
“The players are shattered,” he said. “We’re dealing with grief.”
Chapman said Walsh was an “inspiring” leader who “genuinely cared” about his players.
Crows fans went to the clubrooms this morning, leaving scarves, guernseys and floral tributes.
More fans arrive to pay tribute to Phil Walsh.
– reporting by Tom Richardson, Bension Siebert and AAP
