PHIL Walsh's time at Adelaide was brief, but chasing his dreams was a passion he fulfilled time and time again. 

Few could have predicted he – as a senior Port Adelaide assistant – would replace the sacked Brenton Sanderson as Crows coach in October last year. 

Players share their grief over Walsh

And had it not been for a life-changing accident in Peru in 2012, he probably wouldn't have. 

Walsh was hit by a bus while crossing a street in Cusco, leaving him close to death and wondering whether he'd ever return home to Australia. 

In his debut press conference upon being appointed as the coach of the Adelaide Football Club, the then 54-year-old said it was a defining moment in his life.

Vale Phil Walsh - a proud 'football lifer'

"I tell my kids to chase their dreams, so I don't want to look back at 70 years old and think what might have been," he said, when asked why he decided to pursue a senior coaching role.

Walsh attacked his new position with trademark intensity; his work ethic and, indeed, his work hours were legendary.

That intensity was reflected in his press conferences when he, uncomfortable in front of cameras and the glare of spotlights, would answer questions with a hardness that was at times unnerving. 

He was a far more approachable man away from the cameras. 

As we walked behind Adelaide Oval to a training session, the day before his death, he offered honest and uncensored opinions on Gold Coast's drug scandal.

It was no interview, just a casual conversation.

I said I'd ask about it during his press conference later that morning, which he pointed out wasn't actually scheduled until Friday morning. 

He laughed when I told him I'd get him on it then. 

At West Lakes he saw a club and a playing group whose habits demanded change after two seasons of mediocre results.

Walsh spoke of the need for Adelaide's players to develop "elite standards" and play "formula one football" – he firmly believed people were products of their environment.

It was impossible for him to realise his vision within the almost nine months he had at the helm of the club, a process that in all likelihood would have taken the bulk of his initial three-year contract. 

While he was a hard coach who had no room for excuses of any kind, the playing group took to his tough love. 

Captain Taylor Walker and a number of his fellow leadership group members spoke highly of the "team first" atmosphere Walsh was trying to establish. 

Walker and Patrick Dangerfield were just a few of many Crows players who posted tributes for Walsh on social media in the wake of his death. 

The skipper said he "fell in love" with his coach during his short stint. 

On field results proved time was needed for the club to settle into its new era. 

Walsh understood his side's situation but, predictably, couldn't stand  'honourable' losses.

The Crows started season 2015 in outstanding fashion with two impressive wins over North Melbourne and Collingwood and then pushed Fremantle to the brink in round nine only to fall by 11 points. 

"There's a phrase for getting close – it's called losing," he said a few days after the defeat. 

Walsh couldn't return the club to its former glory, as was his desire, but he put steps in place for it to potentially do so.

While addressing the media on Friday afternoon, CEO Andrew Fagan insisted the legacy of the self-described "career coach" would last well past his death.

"The impact that Phil Walsh has had on this club will be remembered forever – it won't ever be lost."