All we are really looking for in this life is a connection.
For all the brash talk sometimes of not needing anyone else, all we really want is some connection to other people, to something bigger than ourselves, to the broad mass of humankind.
It's kind of the reason we follow sport as passionately as we do. Deep down on some level we know it's silly, pointless really in the scheme of things.
Yet it's never really about a game where a bunch of people chase a ball around or arguing about whether one grown man properly disposed of the ball or held a mark long enough. It's the human element, that connection to other people, often people we have never met.
It's even people we've never heard about but we know are out there. That mass of footy fans out there, all riding the highs and lows, all pouring time into something that only has meaning because we all choose to give it meaning.
There are far better people than me to eulogise Phil Walsh. I imagine what we are all feeling is a very poor facsimile of what the people who actually knew him are currently feeling.
So why do the rest of us react to this like we do? To the passing of someone we didn't even know? After all, it's a sad fact of life that wonderful people pass away all the time, often to the ignorance of the majority of us.
I think we react like this because what we feel is the breaking of one of those connections.
Someone who cared about something we did, who shared experiences, probably admired people we did and shared the joy and frustrations of this game is gone.
We also sense something that is at the heart of much of life; that it often makes no sense. Searching for meaning where there is none is part of why we all feel a bit lost this morning.
The only comfort I can find in this is that so many others are feeling what I'm feeling today. We're all connected because of football and we are lucky to be.
Vale Phil Walsh
COMMENTS
theshootingpand
Jul 03, 2015
This is a very good post. Vale Phil Walsh.
ManuelCalavera_
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily great work mate. You just keep on producing the goods.
pikeonaplate
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well said mate.
Dean Fribence
Jul 03, 2015
Thanks Titus.
Paul King
Jul 03, 2015
Brilliant.
Dave Gardner
Jul 03, 2015
Well said!
DMiddleton_04
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily You captured it all perfectly. Amazing words.
wooda69r
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily this was a brilliant read on such a sad day,, thanks very much mate #loveyourwork #RIPPhilWalsh
ozwinereview
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily always hard to write something meaningful when you don't know someone personally (but care). Nice work.
tassie_JR
Jul 03, 2015
So eloquently put, thanks for sharing.
presentationnight
Jul 03, 2015
Beautifully put Titus. The greatest aspect of football well beyond the number of disposals and hard ball gets lies in how we're all drawn together as a community. It gives us a common bond, a language that we all speak together and it helps is understand each other a tiny bit better. It's a very sad day
singassportrant
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well said Titus
marvin040
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily one of your best pieces on a morning when I can't seem to make sentences, or sense or things.
Bonjour_Pippy
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Incredible summation & heart warming.
TonyAiscom
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well written, says all that can be said from those not directly involved
Annierees
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Beautifully said mate.
winterwhen
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily thank you, great piece
SimonCarrodus
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Really well done mate.
jackcheers
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily beautifully put mate thanks
robungy
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily brilliantly said
TalkingCarlton
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Some well considered context given to a terrible tragedy. Thank you.
Iantgal
Jul 03, 2015
Great comments titus, really well said.
joshspeedie
Jul 03, 2015
Wonderfully put Titus.
oldcoady34
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily thanks Titus. You make sense of the hopelessness senseless feeling. #RIPPhilWalsh
catlucas50
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily this was so well written. Very true. #RIPPhilWalsh
lukmahns
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily kudos
Casey White
Jul 03, 2015
This is wonderfully written Beau Greenway Jack Vogan Kelsey Smith.
Andrew Johnston
Jul 03, 2015
Brilliant article old boy, I think you have summed up how we all feel
Ben Footner
Jul 03, 2015
Magnificent words Titus.
Nathan Paley
Jul 03, 2015
Brilliant Titus.
Alex Houston
Jul 03, 2015
One of your best articles Titus.
Tim Branagan
Jul 03, 2015
Couldn't have said it any better!
Kane Cefai
Jul 03, 2015
Chris Carrter
Geoff Schaefer
Jul 03, 2015
Your finest work to date Titus. You have nailed it! The most moving thing I've read this morning and I've read a lot...
Noni Primrose
Jul 03, 2015
Thank you. Just tweeted link to trolling female I follow ed. You got it right.
Natalie Webster
Jul 03, 2015
Danny Webster Paul Webster Cheyne Webster Roger Sutherland
Dylan Fisher
Jul 03, 2015
well said
Gary Bruce
Jul 03, 2015
nicely said
Daniel Connole
Jul 03, 2015
Thomas James Oates
Barry Wong
Jul 03, 2015
An atypical Titus article. Yet as enlightening as ever. Thank you. It helps.
Rohan McAlpine
Jul 03, 2015
Beautifully said. Thank you.
Karina Natt
Jul 03, 2015
Rhiannon Koch
Steamy Gee
Jul 03, 2015
Wonderfully written old mate.
Malcolm Makkinga
Jul 03, 2015
I have no words of my own (I'm sure I'm not the only one). Thanks for articulating this.
Sally Fairlam
Jul 03, 2015
Some great random thoughts.
Thestano
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily very nicely sir
pgcOneMoon
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Beautifully put Titus. Nailed it again.
Thestano
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily very nicely said sir
73simmo
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well written piece mate. Portrays the feelings I have currently #RIPPhilWalsh
katieoh9
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Summed up perfectly.
DeLuca_JD
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Hear, hear.
kkfox78
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Nice words Titus.
DavefromWallan
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily real well said young man
Marc Ohlmüs
Jul 03, 2015
Your best piece yet, Titus U0001f44f
Clare Haddad
Jul 03, 2015
Excellently put, Titus. Vale indeed.
Jenny O'Rafferty
Jul 03, 2015
So well said Titus....brilliant
Danny Palmer
Jul 03, 2015
Jacob Smith Jamie Barnes
John Francis McGeary
Jul 03, 2015
Well said Titus.
Damian Holland
Jul 03, 2015
There needs to be more Titus
Daniel Cohen
Jul 03, 2015
Great piece Titus. But unfortunately there were no answers. #Neverwillbe
Jesse Robertson
Jul 03, 2015
Brilliant read
Rhiannon Koch
Jul 03, 2015
Just finished reading.
Spot on.
Sarah Black
Jul 03, 2015
Absolutely perfect
bryphelan
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily thank you Titus, just what I needed to read today. Beautifully said
reddishracing
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily your finest workU0001f62d
Brrrr_Ice
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Thanks, man. Very moving, very nice.
majorstar11
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily outstanding read, very well said! #RIPPhilWalsh
Steven Carr
Jul 03, 2015
Great piece. Thank you.
Emmalee O'Grady
Jul 03, 2015
"... a very poor facsimile of what the people who actually knew him are currently feeling." But the whole thing was perfection.
ChaserJay
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Kudos.
Cami181
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Spot on Titus. Said what we are thinking better than we could.
LukeMcAlister
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily beautiful, Titus.
holdsteadygirl
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily yes.
dannorto
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily thank you for sharing your thoughts. I often wonder why sport is so important to us - you have explained it perfectly.
4Boat
Jul 03, 2015
Well done & thanks @TitusOReily
MinChaplin
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily exactly how I am feeling. Thank you.
Dann Lennard
Jul 03, 2015
Well said. Beautiful sentiments.
Matt Baldwin
Jul 03, 2015
Well said.
Roger Sutherland
Jul 03, 2015
Nailed it Natalie......again
Rebecca Nicholson
Jul 03, 2015
You've tapped into the mood and described it so well. Thanks for the words.
kellyexeter
Jul 03, 2015
Well said Titus. xx
Mandarin Soy
Jul 03, 2015
Spot on Titus O'Reily
andrewwatson74
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well said indeed
kitchdog87
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily love you Titus.
Marc Errington
Jul 03, 2015
Spot on. Well done mate.
VillaJohn01
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily That captures it all matey :(
Kirsty Rice
Jul 03, 2015
Beautifully said Titus.
JamieMills2
Jul 03, 2015
Perhaps your best post yet Titus. Well played sir...
Vale Phil Walsh
stephenc24
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily really well said mate
Stevo1944
Jul 03, 2015
Thank you Titus for putting into words so eloquently, how we all feel today.
Storeman_Norman
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well done. Your random thoughts sum it up perfectly. Days like today stop us all in our tracks.
Nik Kapolos
Jul 03, 2015
Sad day
pgoog59
Jul 03, 2015
You are indeed a sage Titus and one most needed at this sad time. Connections have been strengthened. Thank you.
gavinhayhurst1
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily yep well said Titus
Gregory Robert Sparks
Jul 03, 2015
Still coming to terms about this tragic news!
Stephen Staines Sharman
Jul 03, 2015
Eloquently said Titus
Christine Curran
Jul 03, 2015
Julie-anne Ellison says it all U0001f622
Stephen Edward Cusack
Jul 03, 2015
Thank you Titus. Putting feelings into words for those of us who don't know what to say at times like these.
GEThomas
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well said
clarkebruce69
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Very well said mate.
Matthew Morse Coad
Jul 03, 2015
Perfect.
Luke Duncan
Jul 03, 2015
Hear hear Titus..very well said..
wayda_89
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well put mate
solarised09
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily perfectly written, terribly sad
Victor Allen
Jul 03, 2015
Well said mate
Warrigal150
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily U0001f44bU0001f44bU0001f44b
michaeldillon
Jul 03, 2015
well said, it is very hard to find the words to explain how I feel today. Thank you your words help make sense out of such a sad sad day.
leighmrussell
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily nailed it.
DalgleishKD
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Sums things up very succinctly. RIP Phil Walsh
Gemma Houston
Jul 03, 2015
Spot on. Some of my closest friends have come from being originally a random name on a supporter website. Other still I've never met, but we all are connected by our love for footy, even if it's not the same team. Footy is a family, and the family has taken a massive, unthinkable blow today. Thank you for helping explain it.
GlennFinkelde
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily your funny stuff is brilliant. Your serious stuff is superb. Well done
Teresa Kovacic
Jul 03, 2015
Beautifully said
AaronDell2
Jul 03, 2015
Well done, Titus.
eatay3
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Very sad news, reminds me we all can look out for each other. Take care.
jckstnr
Jul 03, 2015
Well said
Nathan Hanrahan
Jul 03, 2015
Beautifully written Titus. What you have put together makes so much sense, whereas this tragedy does not.
R.I.P. Phil
craigb76
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily beautifully said Titus
The Original Buzz
Jul 03, 2015
Thank you Titus, eloquently put and beautifully written. As a Carlton fan and footy tragic, his passing is still felt by me and fans of all AFL clubs including those fans in other countries.
I feel that something good has been stolen from the game that we may never get back. He is a widely respected and admired man.
NMRoos75
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily perfectly said.
roguebogan
Jul 03, 2015
Thank you for those beautiful words Titus. Well said.
tonyb1971
Jul 03, 2015
Well said. The whole city of Adelaide is in shock at such a senseless loss, regardless of team loyalties.
Nt11Smd
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Well written.
MrAFL
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily spot on with those thoughts mate. Gutted for all close to him and shocked & sad as one of the football family.
JB_1050
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well written spot on
Luke Debrowski
Jul 03, 2015
Emil Bogatec
Nick Shady
Jul 03, 2015
Truly well said, made me feel ill this morning when I saw the news.
tassintheswitch
Jul 03, 2015
nqc_jono so true
darynepearson
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Thank you. Just needed to hear something like this. For all your sarcasm (and mine), we all feel the same. Loss is numbing
Mr Wisdoms Whopper
Jul 03, 2015
Your thoughts and words are spot on. Thank you.
Greg Barfoot
Jul 03, 2015
Well said Titus, I am giving you a standing ovation.
Dan Sergeant
Jul 03, 2015
Eloquent words Titus
Danny Palmer
Jul 03, 2015
Nathan Paul Manders
bigboltz
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Well done. Some of your best work.
TheRawFanatics
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well written and sums up pretty much what most feel
dpsSocket
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Well said sir.
Angela Loveshawks
Jul 03, 2015
Nice Titus
JulieHuckin
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Beautifully written, moving to read. Thank you
bjannan
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily forget drugs, throws are ruining our game. "Quick hands" we call them, umpires ignore them. Been one million by Hawks tonight.
randompersonno4
Jul 03, 2015
Pretty much sums it up. I think a lot of us turn to footy as a means of escape from the real world, and at times like this we are reminded that footy is part of the real world and can hurt just as much. Very well said
LionsDi
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Lovely piece...well said
juleseadams
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Thanks Titus. Lovely words on a sad day. #RIPPhilWalsh
steve_dost
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily nice piece mate. Really sums up what we're collectively going through.
SallyFishsally2
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily beautiful summation
SallyFishsally2
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily beautifully written
ddonelly
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily well said
hanahheart
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Lovely piece.
rickpersse
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily quality job Titus ~ thank you mate
MichaelCahill
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily beautifully written Titus. #valephilwalsh
mattgoudie
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily good article. 'Intense' seems to be the adjective to describe the man
Riggardless
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily Well said on a confusing day
adriansal
Jul 03, 2015
TitusOReily this is the best one you've done mate.
Paul Stenhouse
Jul 03, 2015
Thanks Titus. And thanks Phil. RIP
Jason Hewitt
Jul 03, 2015
Well done
Oz Matterhorn
Jul 03, 2015
Well said mate.
misanthropicfcuk
Jul 03, 2015
On point Titus, glad to see a pause in the laughter to acknowledge the tragic loss of a fellow member of our collective passion.
We do all separate into our little groups whilst claiming to hate the enemy but instances like this prove when real life stuff happens, we drop the facade just for a bit to stand as one.
I didn't see much of Phil so I don't know him as a person but the little I saw of him in interviews and as a Coach showed him to be as thoughtful and passionate as any person who came before him in Football.
Obviously the loss is mostly with his family/friends/loved ones and to a lesser degree the AFC. But the game as a whole and we as followers of it lost a great contributor.
RIP Phil.
CakeyEvans
Jul 04, 2015
Really lovely words, thank you for this Titus.
echosigma
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily Well written.
pwoiter
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily yes excellent.
sk248
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily words were really true to heart
revdanichols
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily you write extremely well. That was next level stuff. Vocalised what so many were feeling.
russditt
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily was spot on.
simonil97
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily beautiful mate
velvet_pancakes
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily loved it, also loved that you got on with the funny business, & at the appropriate time. Laughter is truly the best medicine U0001f44f
Clairej305J
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily Beautifully said. Usually it's your wicked tongue I admire, but in this, such eloquence & heartfeltedness. Thankyou
TheGarvis
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily it really was beautifully written, we are all going through this together #weflyasone
msanniemac
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily Yep you've hit the mark. Also it's rare to have someone we feel a connection with - however distant - suffer such a violent end
Sedgyman21
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily brilliantly articulated.
Brim63
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily I love your sarcasm & wit but that article was poignant & just lovely #weflyasone
Hotwillydog
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily was very well written.
On another note i'd like to thank Melbourne for giving the Eagles the 4th quarter off last night!
selthy15
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily Your best ever piece. Your mastery of words is brilliant.
mr_d4
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily WOW! 4 all your wit & humour, that was out of the box.Sport is reality TV & u perfectly summed up the source of this connection
Tonks105
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily so proud of my club over the past few days!! Thank you!
pat_renwick
Jul 05, 2015
TitusOReily top effort Titus, love your gags but really thought provoking piece on a crap day, quality stuff
elkniwt
Jul 06, 2015
Stick to your very funny cynical analysis of AFL, Titus and spare us this psychobabble. There's no "deeper" meaning to footy - -its just entetainment.
Adam Curran
Jul 07, 2015
Michael Ryan
Brendan Wills
Dec 31, 2015
Still one of your best mate
Andrew Johnston
Dec 31, 2015
I loved this article Titus. On a rough morning, reading this made me feel so much better. Still the article I remember most.
Dylan Fisher
Dec 31, 2015
This pretty much summed up the feeling that day! Well written Titus
Geoff Schaefer
Dec 31, 2015
You nailed what many of us felt Titus. Top effort mate!
Lindsay Clement-Meehan
Dec 31, 2015
Was a lovely piece
Anthea Miller
Dec 31, 2015
Well said Titus O'Reily I remember reading this at the time... It helped.
Rob Montgomery
Dec 31, 2015
First article of yours i ever read
Amanda Davidson
Dec 31, 2015
Tag me back please Georgia Taylor
Camille Heckley
Dec 31, 2015
This was my favorite of yours. Great writing on a day we all struggled to find words.
Richard Gough
Dec 31, 2015
Best article you have ever written.
Scott Mclaughlin
Dec 31, 2015
Best piece mate. Still hard to believe he is no longer here.
Steph McEachen
Dec 31, 2015
An amazing piece of work 'Mr O'Reily' It was such a moving week of football borne out of such a tragedy and I am so proud of how it was handled. RIP Phil Walsh.
Oz Matterhorn
Dec 31, 2015
Very classy, this was handled so well mate.