RIP Robbie Flower - Sad Passing of a True Champion

[What 18,810]

"It's most satisfying to be a one club player. I love the Melbourne Football Club."

- Robert Flower

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

Saddened, shocked and bewildered really, can't believe it. R.I.P Robbie and condolences to your closest. A true legend.

Remembering Troy, Sean, Jim and Dean also.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,825]

Brilliant,loyal,skilful, courageous, stylish,modest,unique,loveable.

Demon lovers, in fact all footy lovers, will miss Robert Flower greatly.

This true champion will never be forgotten.

[BarnDee 287]

well said jaded , well said

[Webber 10,641]

I watched him play for 14 years, his entry to playing being my entry to footy consciousness.

He was the greatest football hero a Dees loving kid could have.

He was the greatest footballer never to win a Brownlow medal.

He was the greatest footballer never to win a premiership.

He was the most loyal of clubmen, when he had every reason not to be.

and he was the most beautiful footballer I've ever seen.

RIP Robbie.

[Redbeard 498]

Unfortunately I'm another who is too young to remember him playing. I do know for the first 4 years of my life I went to games with his badge pinned to my chest and I was at that last final with my dad.

I do however remember him playing in one of the first Legends matches and him taking a one handed mark as easy as you please.

A few years back I got to meet him at Fed Square before the walk to the G and had a photo with him, sent it to dad and it's been his phone wallpaper for 5 years, he was so proud his son got to meet his hero.

[deepete 27]

Just so terribly sad... genuine good guy.

[return of the dees 47]

I bought my first membership as a 16 year old in 1981, there were days during that season and following seasons that despite a loss I would still leave the ground with a feeling that I had witnessed something special. There were things that Robbie did that no others could do, he was a true champion and always played the game showing the utmost respect to the jumper, the opponent and the game.

R.I.P. Robbie

[beelzebub 23,390]

I only just mentioned to my wife. There were many years when as a Melbourne supporter you didnt have a lot to cheer about but you could go watch a champion play football and marvel and be proud that he was a Demon as Im sure he was..

[Chook in Perth 2,109]

My first footy memories are my long departed Pa saving Footy Records for me. It was 1981, we were rubbish but the whole family laughed at Jacko and was impressed with young Healy.

But Robbie.....he was spoken of in hushed tones. A deity.

We didn't have much. But we had Robbie. He was ours, and no bag of cash, or cheap finals appearances, was going to change that.

My old mans the hardest bastard I know, but he'll be crying himself to sleep tonight.

Have 5 bounces and dob one from 50 great man.

[dazzledavey36 55,983]

Wight, Bailey, Broadbridge, Stynes and now Flower...

This world can be so cruel sometimes. Its times like these I really do feel sorry for our football club.

Barassi is basically our only real legend left now.

Very sad.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

RIP to one of the MFCs finest.

[Strapping Young Lad 227]

Looking back at those times through the 70's and 80's.... We didn't have much....But we did have Robbie... Thanks again Tulip.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Phhuuuccckkk

[bing181 9,436]

Some fitting tributes and memories here - I was lucky enough to see him play through the 80's. With Robbie on the field, always worth going to the footy, whatever else happened.

Amongst it all, played some incredible games for the Big V as well, they must have been almost like finals for Robbie. This isn't even a Flower highlights reel, but look at how often his name is called:

[The Reverend 1,736]

Such a sad day.

When all else was doom and gloom, there was always Robbie Flower weaving a silky web around the opposition. His exquisite skills lit up the eyes of long suffering Dees supporters. I will never forget his ability to glide through a pack and emerge with the ball before breaking away with a couple of bounces down the southern wing and sending it into our forwards. A totally loyal and utterly sublime footballer, the likes of whom will never be seen again.

Thanks for the memories Robbie.

[Tyson_Viney_Toumpas 269]

Winning.

Yeah, nah. Winning doesn't bring people back from the dead nor some of the unfortunate things that seem to happen to this club.

RIP Robbie

[Demon SeaMan 108]

and didnt you just love rushing home from school 1 night in the yr cos you knew Robbie would be doning the Big V + never to put a poor performance for the VICs. Was like he was our ambassador to the footy world. I remember those days like yesterday, even some of those Escort Cup games where we'd play in gut wrenching conditions at night at Robbie would still have the ball on a string...

[ijbfossil 77]

I am old enough to have seen the 50s and 60s premierships and the great players MFC had then BUT Robbie Flower is easily the best MFC player I have ever seen and my all time favorite footballer despite the superstars of today. No-one has ever given me greater pleasure to watch.

Totally shattering.

Most sincere condolences to the family from this simple Demon fan.

[Tim 3,531]

Devastated. A champion whose qualities transcended mere football brilliance - which he had in abundance anyway.

Condolences to Robbie's family.

[DEE fence 5,050]

The bravest gentleman to ever play the world's toughest game.

[binman 44,683]

Thanks to those who have posted thoughts. I'm simply too shattered to muster anything

[Beetle 4,711]

Got given a long sleeve royal blue demons jumper from birth...not long after it had the number 2 on the back where it remained for another ten years.

RIP Robbie...you were my childhood idol.

He also owned the Brandon Park Sportsco for a short while where I would get butterflies of excitement hoping you may be working every time I attended with my Mum or Dad.

You are a true Melbourne Football Club Legend.

[bananas 428]

I'm *just* old enough to have seen him play, and I have very vague memories of sitting with Dad and my brother and sister in the old Member's guests section and hearing the MCC roar "ROBBIE" in unison as he took off down the wing, and even as a little kid you could tell there was something different, something special, about that particular noise. They didn't sound that way for any other player, and with good reason.

Vale.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I remember a couple of times when he'd lose one of his contact lenses and have to search around in the grass.