Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has praised the football community for the respect and support shown for the Walsh family and Adelaide Football Club over the weekend.
The Swans played on Thursday night ahead of the tragic passing of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh.
“Initially as everyone stated it was absolute shock but you can’t help but feel proud for how the football community bandied together to support each other and the Walsh family,” Longmire said.
“It doesn’t make things right but the whole football community and the community in general was able to do the best they could to help out in some very small way with what the Walsh family is going through.
“To have the recognition of the individual players, supporters and coaches right throughout the football community on the weekend was very special and makes you very proud to be a part of this industry.”
A decision was made to cancel pre-match activities, team songs and celebrations for each of the matches throughout Round 14 in a sign of respect for Walsh.
Following each game the competing teams linked arms along with their coach in the middle of the field to observe a minutes silence in honour of Phil.
“Whether you are players, coaches or staff in the game you have got things in your life that are real challenges,” Longmire said.
“It was absolutely tragic circumstance and it is good to see the football community come together to support the Walsh family and the Adelaide Football Club.”
Two members of the Swans coaching staff – Stuart Dew and Josh Francou – were coached by Walsh during his time with Port Adelaide.
Longmire said it was important that everyone who knew Walsh was given the support required.
“It is almost impossible to have someone in your football club that has not known or come across Phil because he has been in the football industry a long time,”
“Personally I didn’t have a lot to do with him but there are people at our football club that have.
“It is obviously very difficult for those people because it is difficult for the people that didn’t know him very well let alone the people that did so it is a real challenge.”
