RIP Robbie Flower - Sad Passing of a True Champion

[bush demon 2,041]

Very sad news, from a life-long demon supporter, and life-long admirer of Robbie Flower. My abiding memory of Robbie is seeing him standing alone in the goal square with one useful arm, calling for the overlap handball that would have got Melbourne into the 1987 Grannie. Unfortunately it never came.

[Vince Vega 40]

I was born in 87 and did not officially become a demon supporter til a few years later. While I'm too young to have ever seen him play, my Dad and older brother (and every Demonlander on this thread) speak volumes of his skill and loyalty and so as a MFC romantic I have always loved what he means to the club.

I watched this video a while ago and could not help but admire the man's humility. I just watched it again and glowed for it's entirety. If you can spare a half hour I recommend you do the same.

RIP Robbie.

[beelzebub 23,377]

Very sad news, from a life-long demon supporter, and life-long admirer of Robbie Flower. My abiding memory of Robbie is seeing him standing alone in the goal square with one useful arm, calling for the overlap handball that would have got Melbourne into the 1987 Grannie. Unfortunately it never came.

If ever there was a poignant message I suppose it was encapsulated in that moment. It wasnt a fair result, it want just, it was a calamity on so many levels. Those there will NEVER forget it.

A true champion and deserving stalwart denied his rightful prize and yet Robbie probably taught us its more about the effort and determination than it is the results.

The more i look the more I see the diametric opposite in the actions of another.

To paraphrase another:

Its not what this game can give to you .....its what the game can let you give to others.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Just brewed the first coffee of the day

I still cannot fathom that "our" Robbie 2 Flower has gone

Don't think i ever will.

Do it for Robbie Demons.

Next year. No bullshite excuses. Just Do It

Edited October 3, 2014 by why you little

[ChaserJ 5,096]

Thanks for the purest demonland banner yet.

Yes, I agree.

Excellent gesture.

[Chook in Perth 2,109]

I started a blog 15 months ago. Wrote in it once.

Today I felt the need to have another go.

My thoughts on Robbie. https://www.tumblr.com/blog/theviewfromthecheapseats

[beelzebub 23,377]

A nice gesture:

Players, club & AFL staff will observe a minute's silence prior to AFL Combine testing at 1.15pm today to pay respect to Demons legend Robbie Flower

[beelzebub 23,377]

For Nasher and those who never got to see him play in person :

[NowWeKnow 130]

I remember Robbie Flower's sports shop in Forest Hill shopping centre. As a young fella, I was always totally amazed that Robbie was just there, in a shop, and anyone could just walk in and get served by him. It didn't seem right to me. I always felt like you should have to buy tickets to get in and have the privilege of buying something from him. I was so mesmerised I remember just walking back and forward outside his shop just taking in glimpses of the great man. My awe was so great I could never summon up the courage to go in. I remember my mother going in to his shop to get a copy of his book "Robbie" signed. I pleaded with her that you can't just go in and bother the great man with that. I was so embarrassed I couldn't go in with her. Robbie happily signed mum's book while I watched from a distance. I don't know exactly what he said during their brief exchange but I know mum left the shop touched by the greatness of a true gentleman.

[inanunda 351]

My little tribute to the great man who wore number 2: http://www.thepeptalk.com.au/why-robert-flower-was-on-my-duffle-coat/

[Chook in Perth 2,109]

I remember Robbie Flower's sports shop in Forest Hill shopping centre. As a young fella, I was always totally amazed that Robbie was just there, in a shop, and anyone could just walk in and get served by him. It didn't seem right to me. I always felt like you should have to buy tickets to get in and have the privilege of buying something from him. I was so mesmerised I remember just walking back and forward outside his shop just taking in glimpses of the great man. My awe was so great I could never summon up the courage to go in. I remember my mother going in to his shop to get a copy of his book "Robbie" signed. I pleaded with her that you can't just go in and bother the great man with that. I was so embarrassed I couldn't go in with her. Robbie happily signed mum's book while I watched from a distance. I don't know exactly what he said during their brief exchange but I know mum left the shop touched by the greatness of a true gentleman.

That's a familiar tale. Reckon every Dees supporter in the Eastern suburbs would relate. I recall wishing he'd buy the Sportsco at Chirnside just so I could see him more often.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

For Nasher and those who never got to see him play in person :

You just beat me to it BB

3 minutes of Loyalty & Pure Skill

Wow

[thaipantsman 180]

Very sad news, from a life-long demon supporter, and life-long admirer of Robbie Flower. My abiding memory of Robbie is seeing him standing alone in the goal square with one useful arm, calling for the overlap handball that would have got Melbourne into the 1987 Grannie. Unfortunately it never came.

There we stood, you, me, Kipper and Ray. Still got the photo. One of the best games of football. Interestingly, I read in column this morning, may have been Rohan Connolly commented the Melbourne team of 1987 was not particularly strong. After initially disagreeing I thought about that it and he was probably right. Players like Eishold, Yeats, Campbell, Brett Bailey , Chiron weren't stars but Flower turned them into Demons. Melbourne did get onto a significant run of wins and played as if possessed by some higher power to achieve what we did that year. Flower, in my mind was that power. He was always poetry to watch, skillfull without pier and never resorted to the thuggery that made other "legends" famous in that era. Can't ever remember Flower putting in a bad game. We all know him as a champ wingman however as we all know he was used in all roles in a bid to plug holes. My only recollection of Flower losing a battle was against the great M. Blight when Blight at his peak and the ball coming in like lightening. Flower started at FB that day!! In more tedious days of a former life gone by that involved a dull and somewhat meaningless existence, Flower was something to look forward to every Saturday. Losing didn't matter. Bye the way I recall the Great Sean Wight was the best player that Prelim Day.

[thaipantsman 180]

You just beat me to it BB

3 minutes of Loyalty & Pure Skill

Wow

Beautiful!

[whoszachunt 29]

Nathan Jones ✔ @nathan2jones

Devastated! An absolute gentleman, so many great memories. I'm very grateful and honored to be forever bonded by our numbers

Nathan Jones ✔ @nathan2jones

More importantly the friendship and support you gave along the way, your infectious positivity kept me going, Thank you Robbie

Nathan Jones ✔ @nathan2jones

You had such a huge impact on me, more than you knew. My deepest condolences go out to the the flower family at this terribly sad time #2

Looking at Robbie Flower's win to loss record (losses outweighing wins by a mile) amongst other things such as upholding loyalty and love for the club/jumper/game then taking into account Jonesy's tweets. I'm certain the pair shared a respect for one another that far surpassed simply sharing the same number.

Loyalty obviously goes with the famous number 2 ...May it continue that way.. Well said Nathan.

[Deecisive 1,709]

what a fantastic player, more bounces in that 3 minutes than the whole of the melbourne team for the last 2 years. was a true inspiration and champion. sadly missed.

[beelzebub 23,377]

from the AFL ( shame about the bloody ad !! )

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-03/remembering-robert-flower

Edited October 3, 2014 by beelzebub

[Mickey 4,684]

Is it possible for our home games in future that we rename "members wing" to "Flower's Wing"? Surely we can do something, even if it is only for our games, to honour this great man, on the oval of some of his greatest memories?

Really like this idea. Think we should be pushing for this

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

from the AFL ( shame about the bloody ad !! )

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-03/remembering-robert-flower

how the hell did he not win multiple Brownlow Medals!!

"If you don't mind Umpire...."

[BIG JIM 508]

Thanks for the banner it looks great. Robbie is Melbourne

[NowWeKnow 130]

how the hell did he not win multiple Brownlow Medals!!

"If you don't mind Umpire...."

Even more staggering, he only ever won one Bluey!

[daisycutter 29,616]

from the AFL ( shame about the bloody ad !! )

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-03/remembering-robert-flower

watched that 5 times (sniffle)

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Nice touch with the banner, it should stay like that until next year. Like the idea of calling the members wing flowers wing.

[Chook in Perth 2,109]

I just typed this out for the Melbourne website. The "Robbie Flower Wing" first called for 27 years ago.

In 1987 this "Ode to Robbie Flower" by Greg Shalless appeared in the Lilydale Express. I've kept it forever.

"For fifteen years he's dodged and weaved,
He had to be seen to be believed,
That scrawny four-eyed weakling kid,
Oh! What magic things he did.

We just went along to see him play,
Hoping to catch him on his day,
Win or lose it mattered not,
Our day was made when he ran hot.

When players left, like Alves, Wells and Crackers,
To play in finals, we lost some backers,
But no white cells in his blood, only Red and Blue,
To the Demons he remained loyal and true.

He'd fly like Jezza to take the big mark,
Or a Big Nick tap-on or Bartlett shark,
Or with Baldock magic and Ian Stewart class
He'd hit a chest with a pin point pass.

When about to be nabbed by a would-be attacker
He'd spin his way out like the Brothers Krakouer,
There was nothing like it to lift your soul,
When he swept down the wing and dobbed a long goal.

At the Western Oval in his final season,
To play in a final the only reason,
In the third quarter, our run seemed to late,
Three quick Scragger goals, it was shut the gate.

It looked like his swansong, it made us sick,
Our hero hadn't gathered a single kick,
But out of the blue he dobbed two in a row,
"CARN DEES! HERE WE GO!"

In the last it was Footscray, who booted the first,
Washing away our grim finals thirst,
The Cats were in front, we were just dreamers
Then Robbie flew and took one of those screamers.

He banged it through, and then we knew,
If the Hawks could win his dream would come true,
With our radios blaring Dunstall kicked truly,
Hawthorn's in front, YOU BLOODY BEAUTY.

After 23 years you'd think it enough
To see Robbie in a final, doing his stuff.
But success makes greedy and hungry for more,
To knock off the Roos is the Dees next chore.

About finals experience we don't want to know,
With 18 Demons having a red hot go,
We reckon we'll our Robbie hold up,
The 1987 Premiership Cup.

Of the MCG chants, the loudest you'll hear's

when we stand and yell "ROBBIE!" as the ball comes near,
We'll never forget the grace and power,
Of our Demon hero, Robbie Flower.

Around the Members wing, it's a magical sight,
When he soars like an eagle in full flight,
and wouldn't be a fantastic thing,
If they renamed it,

THE ROBBIE FLOWER WING

Edited October 3, 2014 by Chook in Perth

[ijbfossil 77]

I am old enough to have seen the 50s and 60s glory days and all the MFC champs of that fantastic era BUT Robbie Flower is clearly the best MFC footballer I have seen and my all time favorite. How would he have been in a good team - one only has to look at his performances when playing for Victoria - usually BOG or close to it.

It is absolutely shattering and so unfair he is gone.

What is it with the jinx on so many great MFC people - Robbie, Jimmy, Sean, Troy, Dean Bailey, Neale Daniher very sick - life is so damn tough at times.

Most sincere condolences to all the Flower family.