At best the father-son relationship between murdered Adelaide coach Phil Walsh and son Cy was a love-hate, admire-envy one. The complex relationship as well as the elder Walsh's footprints in both his personal life and professional one as coach of the Adelaide Crows was too big for his 26-year-old son.
That is what would appear to be the motive of Cy in allegedly stabbing to death his dad at their Adelaide home. The son, who describes himself in an extensive collection of online diaries, comments and videos in the Internet over six years as nomad and in search of deeper spiritual meaning, was arrested on Friday morning for the coach's death.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Cy did not hide his admiration of his father who he admits he could never match. In June 2013, he wrote, "The fact remains: I cannot force myself to study as hard as my father despite his undeniably more rigorous schedule."
Cy was referring to his 55-year-old dad waking up very early to meet the demands of his job that requires more than 50 hours from the coach every week, daily running regimen, dropping easily vices such as half a year of being alcohol-free and even studying Japanese language on his free time.
His nomad lifestyle apparently was to find stillness, fitness and attractiveness to the opposite gender. At some point, Cy also sought improvement on his video gaming skills and during the last few years, searching for a path that would lead him to spiritual enlightenment.
As part of his attempt to be a complete person - something which Phil easily manages (in Cy's perception) - Cy wanted to be a good guitar player, a prolific blogger, an inspiring teacher, a great writer, an excellent Crossfit practitioner, a master bartender and a yoga and Japanese language expert.
However, all these lofty goals would have to be shelved as Cy faces murder charges of his own kin. As the Walsh family comes to grip with the loss of the breadwinner and the pain of the son paying for his sin to the family and society, the Adelaide Crows and the larger Australian Football League community also need to embrace the truth that the beloved coach won't be returning to the football field.
Patrick Dangerfield, midfielder of the team, sums up the Crows' sentiments and admiration for their slain coach when he said, "Words cannot express the sorrow and disbelief. What Phil Walsh has done for our football club in such a short period of time s truly astonishing ... I am a better person because of him," quotes News.com.au.