RIP Robbie Flower - Sad Passing of a True Champion

[dazzledavey36 55,128]

We have literally lost some MFC legends I robbie and stynes and hate to say it but there is not many left now.

Rip great man.

[jane02 3,749]

So sad to hear this news. A true champ. RIP

[BIG JIM 508]

RIP mate you are a true club hero

[Wilson7 2,684]

A brilliant player, best Demon i have seen. A terrifc person who was as humble as they come, another huge kick in the guts

[Return to Glory 8,443]

A towering icon of the MFC. I simply don't want to believe this.

[BIG JIM 508]

Let's put the great man on the demonland banner

[Oneday 248]

Devastated, condolances to family and friends. RIP

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Like so many here this man was my childhood hero.

Number 2 was on my very first Melbourne jumper.

My dad just referred to him as "the champ"

I met him when I became an adult and he was a true gentleman.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

When I reflect on my childhood, it's always remembered through the prism of footy. Every day I'd be playing, or watching or talking footy. Integral to that of course was the poor, floundering Dees. Like many on here, I was the lone Melbourne supporter amongst my friends - possibly my entire school. So many young Melbourne supporters are currently being turned off footy because of our current woes. Why didn't thousands of kids my age leave the MFC back in the late 70s and 80s? It was simply really. We had Robbie.

[hulkhogan666 142]

He was my dad's icon and hero growing up, when I told him about it on the phone I could tell that he shed a tear or two. Sad f**king day.

[DeeSpencer 25,784]

Vale

[Jaded No More 68,970]

Terrible news.

Deepest condolences to his family & friends.

MFC loses another great.

[bjDee 1,249]

wow. So sad.

I was only just born when he retired so sadly i never got to see him play. But his passion, story and love for the MFC has lived on through history and the members of Demonland who speak so highly of him. R.I.P Robbie Flower.

Geez that video clip just made me smile and feel all warm. Odd emotions at a time like this I know, but when you can't change what has happened, you can at least enjoy the beauty of a great champion and the way he played.

Vale Robbie. The Sir Lancelot of the Dees.

[Jarka 767]

I've just put my kids to bed and jumped on the pc to read about what happened today.

Gutted to hear this news, Robbie came to my primary school for a footy clinic when I was in prep, many, many years ago and I still remember the day like it was yesterday.

Deeply saddened by this news

[Seinfeld 40]

This is just heartbreaking.

Robert Flower was the most elegant player that played the game during the 70's and 80's....He was the only reason i went to watch the Dees during the dark days of that period.

RIP. Truly a legend of the highest order.

[Wilson7 2,684]

Another far to young Jaded

Terrible news.
Deepest condolences to his family & friends.

MFC loses another great.

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

I met Robbie at a Dees game in Darwin last year. What a great man willing to chat to the fans. Loved the Dees.

Glad I got to tell him that he is the reason I follow the Dees.

RIP

[Strapping Young Lad 227]

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH GET [censored]!!!!!!!!!!!!! [censored] you football gods...[censored] you.

He was and always will be what is to be a MFC player.

His era of football is why I still follow the turd of a team.

If this is true the world is a [censored] place.

[John Crow Batty 8,871]

Shocked and saddened. Never saw it coming. My thoughts will be with the family and the great man.

[frankie_d 1,471]

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Flower

In Ken Piesse's The Complete Guide to Australian Football, Flower's player summary quotes Brent Crosswell "...beat Flower and you could just about retire from League Football because anything else smacked of anti-climax."

[Jarka 767]

I remember my dad taking me to his first sports store and the great man himself picked out my first cricket bat.

Oh man, having a bit of a teary moment right now

[Biffen 12,944]

This is a big shock to me.

Robbie was the greatest player I ever saw.

The epitome of the word champion.

RIP Tulip.

[KLV 1,765]

Worst fears confirmed.

My childhood footy memories are of this man. And a true lifelong demon. Modest, genuine, a real champion.

I feel really sad.

My sincere and heartfelt condolences to this wonderful man's family and close friends

[whatwhat say what 22,793]

i realise he was sick. but this is just so upsetting. condolences to family and friends.

Edited October 2, 2014 by DemonAndrew

[Demon 16 214]

5 years old when my grandfather bought me my first Demons jumper ..number 2 on the back.