Indeed unforgettable, but that was Phil Walsh, forever in football's heart. Crows supporters honour fallen coach Phil Walsh at Adelaide Oval. Credit:Getty Images When the gates opened at 2.30pm, the supporters linked in arms - like players involved in every AFL game this weekend - around the boundary line and beyond, and stared at the simple words on the heritage scoreboard: Vale Phil Walsh 1960-2015. It was a remarkable showing of unity and emotion, fans from the far corners of the football world, dressed in their respective team colours, arm in arm. Of course, reality then began to sink in, and tears flowed freely – fans from all clubs cried as one.

Many had walked in silence from North Terrace, across the bridge to the oval, and hugged supporters from all clubs. Like the AFL players who formed tribute circles of respect, this brought out the best in football. Thousands turned out at Adelaide Oval to pay their respects to Phil Walsh on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images The march was organised by Nathan Craill and Tameika Margetts, who pooled their Facebook pages: Rest in Peace Phil Walsh, which gathered more than 4000 names. They seemed like ordinary football fans. Nathan admitted he was one of those with the habit of getting into other people's faces at the games; you know, the occasionally ugly type, yet he was reduced to tears when he spoke of how supporters of other clubs asked if they could attend this amazing gathering at Adelaide Oval. The siren sounded at 2.50pm ACST, as it would to start the match. Credit:Getty Images

"I told them, of course," Nathan said. "But I said if they came and marched, make sure you wear your guernsey of whatever team you are from because this is not about rivalry but unity. "Look around, you can see people here with Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda guernseys and so on. How good is that? This has brought the AFL community together. This really is something; this is football." Fans marched to Adelaide Oval in silence. Credit:Getty Images Tameika said she heard the news when her dad messaged her early Friday morning, and went into shock. "I thought, oh my god, and I haven't pretty much stopped crying since." But like so many others, her march was silent; no tears or sniffles, but the emotions sure did pour out when the fans were allowed on the oval and they formed the link of football love.