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Demons mourn premiership hero Bobby McKenzie

Wilson7
in Melbourne Demons

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Don't believe the story, here I am! No, seriously, very sad news. Bobby was my childhood hero and one of most exciting players I have seen. His pace, elusiveness and goal kicking ability had to be seen to believed. Even the great Ron Barassi marvelled at Bobby's deeds. He was a bit of a larrikin but that added to his personality. A wonderful article is on the MFC website. Thanks Bobby, you were a real champion. Only wish most of the posters here could have seen you play. RIP mate.

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    Don't believe the story, here I am! No, seriously, very sad news. Bobby was my childhood hero and one of most exciting players I have seen. His pace, elusiveness and goal kicking ability had to be seen to believed. Even the great Ron Barassi marvelled at Bobby's deeds. He was a bit of a larrikin but that added to his personality. A wonderful article is on the MFC website. Thanks Bobby, you were a real champion. Only wish most of the posters here could have seen you play. RIP mate.

    Had to let you go first Bobby.

    I never saw him play as he retired at the end of my first year as a supporter of the MFC and I never went to the footy while he was playing. But I knew him by reputation and from the radio broadcasts of the time as a clever forward whose career interestingly, spanned the end of the Checker Hughes era and the beginning of the Norm Smith era so he played together with the Red Fox in the '48 premiership and under him in '55. Like many Demon stars of the era he retired at far too young an age (26) and he could have played on till the end of the decade but it was not to be. Ironically, we picked up another sensational forward flanker at the beginning of 1957 in Geoff Tunbridge who was 25 on debut. Imagine the brilliance of those two on opposite flanks!

    Bobby McKenzie's reputation never diminished and I remember the excitement around the club when his son Robert McKenzie Junior made his debut for the club in 1969 under the father/son rule (just missing the end of the Norm Smith era but he would probably have played against him as coach of South Melbourne). Wore number 50 in his first game, changed to 10 and finished with #2. He showed a bit of promise but lasted only 42 games and, after he left the club, the number 2 went to another bloke who made his mark on the club in much the same vein as his father as a skillful winger/flanker.

    We mourn Bobby McKenzie, a link between the club's two great eras. Condolences to the family.

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    Had to let you go first Bobby.

    I never saw him play as he retired at the end of my first year as a supporter of the MFC and I never went to the footy while he was playing. But I knew him by reputation and from the radio broadcasts of the time as a clever forward whose career interestingly, spanned the end of the Checker Hughes era and the beginning of the Norm Smith era so he played together with the Red Fox in the '48 premiership and under him in '55. Like many Demon stars of the era he retired at far too young an age (26) and he could have played on till the end of the decade but it was not to be. Ironically, we picked up another sensational forward flanker at the beginning of 1957 in Geoff Tunbridge who was 25 on debut. Imagine the brilliance of those two on opposite flanks!

    Bobby McKenzie's reputation never diminished and I remember the excitement around the club when his son Robert McKenzie Junior made his debut for the club in 1969 under the father/son rule (just missing the end of the Norm Smith era but he would probably have played against him as coach of South Melbourne). He showed a bit of promise but lasted only 42 games.

    We mourn Bobby McKenzie, a link between the club's two great eras. Condolences to the family.

    Tunbridge and Mckenzie on opposite flanks and both on their preferred side. (Tunbridge was a left footer). Mouth watering indeed.

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    Way before my time, but that article is great - really paints a picture of one of the greats of the club at that time. RIP

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    Way before my time, but that article is great - really paints a picture of one of the greats of the club at that time. RIP

    Way before my time, but that article is great - really paints a picture of one of the greats of the club at that time. RIP

    A great article on Bobby. A real down to earth, modest champion. Interesting that his full name was Robert Davis McKenzie when his main rival as an elite half forward flanker was none other than Geelong champion, Bob Davis.

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