AFL Wimmera Mallee has urged Wimmera coaches to wear black armbands on Saturday to honour Adelaide Crows coach Phil Walsh, who died on Friday.
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Walsh's son has been charged with his murder after a domestic dispute at the family's South Australian home on Friday morning.
Police confirmed Walsh died from stab wounds.
He was unable to be revived when paramedics arrived just after 2am.
AFL Wimmera Mallee football development manager and Wimmera Mallee Coaches Association president Jason Muldoon contacted coaches after the news broke to ask they wear armbands at football matches across the region on Saturday as a mark of respect for Walsh.
Mr Muldoon and Walsh both grew up in Hamilton.
"He certainly would have touched people across the region, there is no doubt about that," Mr Muldoon said.
"He was the type of bloke who would have gone out of his way to introduce himself to people.
"He was a well-respected man and it's a massive loss for everyone in the footy world, and those outside footy as well."
Mr Muldoon remembers watching Walsh play in Hamilton in the mid 1980s.
"I met him a couple of times," he said.
"He still has family in Hamilton and I run into them quite regularly."
Mr Muldoon said AFL Wimmera Mallee was open to players also wearing armbands as a tribute to Walsh, but said the decision would be up to individual clubs.
Federation University has also expressed its sadness at Walsh’s death.
Walsh graduated from the university’s Mt Helen campus in 1981 with a Bachelor of Education – Physical Education.
University vice-chancellor David Battersby said the university was proud of Walsh’s success.
“On behalf of the university, our condolences go out to Mr Walsh’s family, friends and the Adelaide Football Club,” he said.
