by Johnson Leung reporting for AFANA in Melbourne
Adelaide has appointed its midfield coach Scott Camporeale as interim Senior Coach for the rest of 2015 season on Monday, replacing the late Phil Walsh. Former West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold also joins the club in the newly created position as Director of Coaching on a short-term contract. The two men will be working together for the first time since 2001 when Camporeale was in the middle of his playing career at Carlton where Worsfold was an assistant coach at the time. Camporeale played 233 games for the Blues from 1995 to 2005 (he was part of the club's 1995 Premiership side) and 19 games for Essendon from 2006 to 2007. He worked as the Bombers' assistant coach for the next four years before he joined the Crows as Midfield Coach in 2010.
Camporeale, who was the Crows' first choice to replace Walsh, said he would not deviate from the plans put in place by his predecessor in a strategic meeting in November last year. He said "We have a challenge ahead of us... and we are up for it... At times like these everyone at the club has to step up, and I'm trying to do my bit for the club and the players." Camporeale said the number one priority was the players' welfare and he hoped they were in the right frame of mind to play against West Coast this Saturday. He said he discussed the values and vision Walsh brought to the club with players after Monday's training and the players were right behind them.
Crows CEO Andrew Fagan said he approached Worsfold for help, as the latter not only worked together with Walsh at the Eagles from 2009 to 2014, but also had an understanding of the Crows' football program after he was invited by Walsh to the club earlier this year. Worsfold will remain as AFL Coaches Association Chairman but will not perform any duties while he works for the Crows.
Also on Monday, Walsh's family released a statement through the Crows thanking the general public for its support and sympathy. The statement read: "We wish to thank everyone for their overwhelming kindness, sympathy and support during this most difficult time. We take comfort in knowing that so many people are thinking of Phil, and us. Phil loved and adored his family, just as much as we loved and adored him. He was a devoted father, husband, son and brother. He was a much-loved uncle, brother-in-law and cousin, and a close friend, mentor and colleague to so many. Our hearts are broken. How much we miss him is beyond measure. Our lives will never be the same, now that Phil is gone. But we will forever love and cherish him. Phil enriched our lives and the lives of so many, and for that we are eternally grateful. We are searching for the strength and will to deal with the loss of Phil. In the arms of those we love we are coping as best we can. We kindly request that our privacy be respected at this time so we can grieve as any family would wish to do in such circumstances. Please continue to keep Phil and us in your thoughts and prayers."
Sources: afl.com.au, The Adelaide Advertiser, abc.net.au
Camporeale, who was the Crows' first choice to replace Walsh, said he would not deviate from the plans put in place by his predecessor in a strategic meeting in November last year. He said "We have a challenge ahead of us... and we are up for it... At times like these everyone at the club has to step up, and I'm trying to do my bit for the club and the players." Camporeale said the number one priority was the players' welfare and he hoped they were in the right frame of mind to play against West Coast this Saturday. He said he discussed the values and vision Walsh brought to the club with players after Monday's training and the players were right behind them.
Crows CEO Andrew Fagan said he approached Worsfold for help, as the latter not only worked together with Walsh at the Eagles from 2009 to 2014, but also had an understanding of the Crows' football program after he was invited by Walsh to the club earlier this year. Worsfold will remain as AFL Coaches Association Chairman but will not perform any duties while he works for the Crows.
Also on Monday, Walsh's family released a statement through the Crows thanking the general public for its support and sympathy. The statement read: "We wish to thank everyone for their overwhelming kindness, sympathy and support during this most difficult time. We take comfort in knowing that so many people are thinking of Phil, and us. Phil loved and adored his family, just as much as we loved and adored him. He was a devoted father, husband, son and brother. He was a much-loved uncle, brother-in-law and cousin, and a close friend, mentor and colleague to so many. Our hearts are broken. How much we miss him is beyond measure. Our lives will never be the same, now that Phil is gone. But we will forever love and cherish him. Phil enriched our lives and the lives of so many, and for that we are eternally grateful. We are searching for the strength and will to deal with the loss of Phil. In the arms of those we love we are coping as best we can. We kindly request that our privacy be respected at this time so we can grieve as any family would wish to do in such circumstances. Please continue to keep Phil and us in your thoughts and prayers."
Sources: afl.com.au, The Adelaide Advertiser, abc.net.au
Article last changed on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 10:17 PM EDT
