Danyle Pearce said he was left numb after hearing that Adelaide coach Phil Walsh had passed away on Friday morning.
Pearce spent several years at Port Adelaide while Walsh was an assistant coach.
Like many in the football community, he had spent the past few days trying to come to terms with the fact that he would never speak to or see Walsh again.
He said the Crows' coach was not just a great football man but a great human being.
“He had a big imprint on Port Adelaide Football Club, he was there during a really successful period,” he said.
“He had a big imprint on me early.
“It was a numbing and surreal feeling when I heard on Friday.”
Pearce said Walsh’s legacy would live on through football.
“He was a great coach and a great man,” he said.
“He’s touched many, many lives over the course of his life.”
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Pearce praised the footy community for the respect it had shown Walsh and his friends and family.
“It was great to see the whole footy community, with footy as a catalyst, bring everyone together,” he said.
“Every has shown a great deal of respect over the last few days.”
A moment of silence was held before Sunday night’s game at Domain Stadium with red, blue and yellow balloons released from the crowd.
After the game, the players and coaches formed a circle in the centre to pay their respects.
