Live: Roos reflects on Walls’s legacy ahead of Suns-Hawks clash in Darwin

It comes after the Hawks’ best period of pressure for the quarter, but one which didn’t even lead to a shot on goal. And in the blink of an eye the Suns slip the ball up the other end and find a way to score.

The ball slipped through Amon’s fingers in defence to present Ainsworth with the simple chance. Hawks in strife.

They’re just sharper and more physical than the Hawks at the moment, forcing turnovers and looking really damaging going the other way.

The foot skills to work that ball from the wing to King inside 50 were wonderful. And the set shot wasn’t bad either.

A couple of big highlights from some young Suns so far. That was a powerful surge from young Humphrey, bursting through the tackle and slamming it home from 50 on the run.

Plenty to like about Gold Coast so far.

Maybe the mark of the year so far from Gold Coast’s Jed Walter!

A perfect sit and ride from the youngster, but unfortunately his set shot wasn’t quite as good.

Another free kick in the goalsquare, protested this time by Blake Hardwick and converted by Ben Long.

The free made it a cheapie, but it was set up by some wonderful clearance work by Miller, Humphrey and Rowell. They came flying out the front of the stoppage and put the defence under too much pressure.

The goal umpire has been absolutely folded in the contest on the line, but as he gets back to his feet and shakes off Tom Barrass the review confirms Miller’s shot carried the line.

A great way for Miller to begin his milestone match. He used the wind wonderfully on that set shot from 50 metres out.

About 50 metres off the ball the umpire has spotted something and handed Moore a free kick in the goalsquare. He helps himself to the gift and kicks the first goal of the game.

Hard to see exactly what happened for the free, but it looked like Uwland slipped high in a bit of bodywork up against Moore.

The ball is in the air and Sir Doug Nicholls Round is underway. Plenty on the line for these two sides tonight, let’s see how long it takes each of them to get a feel for the game.

As the stands at Marrara Oval continue filling up to what we expect will be capacity tonight, the ceremony on the field has the players’ and crowd’s full attention.

So special to be able to kick off this round in Darwin.

Less than 20 minutes to the first bounce.

Gold Coast’s record in Darwin is pretty exceptional, with the Suns really turning this place into a home away from home.

There is some pressure on this one for them though, what with the Hawks resting some experienced players and coming off a five-day break. Anything less than an eighth straight Top End win for the Suns would be a disappointment.

Robert Walls died today having used voluntary assisted dying laws. His family explained Robert’s decision in full:

On behalf of the family of Robert Walls, the AFL wishes to advise that Robert passed away today at the age of 74, after 14 years as a league player, 16 years as a coach, 25 years as a commentator and a lifetime as a self-proclaimed ‘fan’.

Having battled cancer for more than two years, Robert did it his way and chose to end a fight that had seen him spend more than 250 nights in hospital during the past two years.

His son David, speaking on behalf of sister Rebecca and brother Daniel, confirmed the Carlton, Fitzroy and Brisbane great and grandfather to seven had passed away peacefully in his unit overlooking the MCG.

Having spent the last couple of weeks tidying up his affairs and catching up with family and close friends, he chose that over more and more hospital visits for treatment.

His massive contribution to football at Carlton, Fitzroy, Brisbane and Richmond will be celebrated at the MCG in coming weeks.

You can read more below:

No late changes tonight, but plenty of changes already announced when teams were named earlier in the week.

The Suns have brought in David Swallow and Ned Moyle for Jake Rogers and Will Graham. But the Hawks have done some serious tinkering for this long away trip, all of Jarman Impey, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, Lloyd Meek and Henry Hustwaite sitting this one out.

In comes Tom Barrass, Jack Scrimshaw, Ned Reeves, Cam Mackenzie and (at long last) Calsher Dear.

Subs are Swallow for the Suns and Bailey Macdonald for the Hawks.

There have been plenty of Robert Walls memories shared this afternoon with plenty more to come, but some of the most poignant have come from a man who owes plenty to Walls. Paul Roos spoke on the ABC Sport Daily Podcast today and emotionally reflected on his friendship with Walls, the lessons he learned from his mentor during their careers and the final moments they shared together as mates.

“[When I heard Walls’s death was imminent] I jumped on a plane and came back to Australia to see Robert specifically. I’m forever grateful.

“I spent a few hours with him and we spoke about footy and life, he gave me some advice and I made sure he knew what a legacy he had left. I thanked him for everything he had done. It was an amazing conversation and something not many people have an opportunity to do, so I’ll forever treasure that.

“I said ‘mate, do you understand the legacy you left?’ and he said ‘yeah, I think I do’.”

Walls coached Roos at Fitzroy and helped shape Roos into the premiership-winning coach he would one day become.

“He was always tough. He was an athletic player but also a tough player. As a coach he was innovative but he was also tough. I said to him ‘you were tough on us’, but he said ‘Paul you guys were ready to be coached’.

“He was tough and he was hard, and one of the main things he taught me was about feedback. The feedback he gave me I knew was from the heart because he wanted me to get better. And then the discipline and the hard work.”

You can listen to the full podcast with Roos below.

Good evening, and welcome back to ABC Sport’s live blog coverage of the 2025 AFL season. Tonight we kick off round 10 — Sir Doug Nicholls Round, as it is otherwise known — up in Darwin as Gold Coast takes on Hawthorn.

It’s going to be a weekend of celebration of Indigenous culture and the role of Indigenous people in making Australian Rules football what it is today, but it will also be one tinged with a bit of sadness. News came through today that Robert Walls, a legend of the game as a player, coach and in the media, has died at the age of 74. Walls will be remembered tonight and throughout the round.

Plenty to talk about, and a good game in prospect tonight too. Let’s get into it.