RIP Robbie Flower - Sad Passing of a True Champion

[dees189227 10,783]

https://soundcloud.com/sen1116/ode-to-robbie-flower

thanks for that. Just beautiful.

[Whispering_Jack 27,992]

Time to celebrate all of the things that made him a great footballer.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,263]

The Herald Sun wrote an editorial on Robbie today. Launched the idea of another statue outside the MCG. Food for thought!!!!

[Biffen 12,330]

The Herald Sun wrote an editorial on Robbie today. Launched the idea of another statue outside the MCG. Food for thought!!!!

Not that you are in need of anymore food.

[beelzebub 22,225]

The Herald Sun wrote an editorial on Robbie today. Launched the idea of another statue outside the MCG. Food for thought!!!!

its not even a question really is it.

A statue commemorating a very decent human being who also happen to be an exceptional footballer with all the 'right' credentials.

The Robbie Flower Wing...and a Statue......very fitting.

Out nic was coined by the notion of 'we should play like Demons" may I suggest to all Melbourne players.....here on........You need to.. "play like Flower" Play with his class, his pride , his courage and his guts and determination. They may not have his ability but they need to play as though they think they do.

But I'm biased. He's always been my very favourite player.

[robbiefrom13 877]

Mine too.

I watched videos of him all night last night. One of the things he did was he reduced complicated things. Caught in traffic, he would simplify it, with turning, going around, paddling the ball on the ground in his first game I remember, till he got the feel of being there, and in one of the 5-minute bits of vision on here you see him (faster than thinking, as he did) turn on a sixpence and then take a half step backwards before being aligned with the way through - and off he went. Robbie was like the Ockham's Razor of football - he just simplified the most complicated things on the field, and then tore through with off-the-show skill. But it was that "knowing how to get through" that is unparallelled in my opinion.

Maybe this came of his total commitment to being there, being in a Melbourne jumper. He said he arrived at the game every time, with the view that we could win it. He was entirely unphased about his celebrity, genuinely seemed not to be comfortable at all with it (I loved the story that when he did something really good at tennis, he'd be looking down fiddling with the strings on his racquet while people made their comments); it was like being there was the issue, being part of the Melbourne footy club, not himself. In total faith. Comments from supporters of other clubs say a lot about how watching him was getting the magic of the game, and no-one ever took it as a tribal thing to barrack against him. Dipper's comments about when he'd busted his shoulder illustrate the aura of the man. He set standards beyond anyone.

Total commitment makes a lot of things different I think. In everything - like marriage, children, learning something, playing music, whatever. Robbie always had it, way beyond anyone I ever saw playing footy. Maybe Barassi, though he didn't have the sublime giftedness. (Nothing like the starey-eyed Essendon or Mitch Robinson focus, either. Just fully active immersion.)

Robbie Flower has been a sort of pole star for me, not only in football. His passing doesn't change that, but the world is somehow a lonelier, less supportive place, without him still being here.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,435]

In my mind I'm always trying to think who has been the second best, third best, fourth best Demon I've seen play. The gap between who they might be and Robert Flower is a gulf. It's impossible to explain to those who didn't see him play how good he was and how gracefully he played. It's a bit like trying to explain to millenials and Gen Y just how dominant the Beatles were.

I'm not old enough to have seen Ron Barassi play for Melbourne - perhaps someone who did might enlighten the rest of us as to who was the better player.

And if it's true he only won one B&F (someone please correct me if I'm wrong), can anyone explain why? He was simply the best footballer this club has seen in the last half century and possibly longer.

[What 18,810]

And if it's true he only won one B&F (someone please correct me if I'm wrong), can anyone explain why?

Its a travesty he only won 1, he should have won 6 at the least

Whoever voted back then has a lot to answer for

[Dockett 32 1,213]

Barassi was like a fearless, unstoppable, tank. Tulip was like an exquisitely skilled surgeon who just took his opponents apart .

Impossible to compare the two really, but the thing they had in common was they were both terrific leaders of our club, albeit in vastly entirely different eras of club performance.

[daisycutter 28,562]

Its a travesty he only won 1, he should have won 6 at the least

Whoever voted back then has a lot to answer for

i think some mixed up fowler with flower

[Roost It 1,434]

I started a thread but didn't see this one so I've added this

There's only 1 reason I followed Melbourne as a kid and that reason was Robbie Flower. My Mum and her friends met at the footy nearly every Saturday to knit, gasbag and watch Robbie play. They grew up when Melbourne was a powerhouse but were passing on a club to me that had had it's heart ripped out in 1965. Ron Barassi is remembered by many as the greatest player to ever pull on the red and blue. Bollocks, Robbie Flower is. Barassi played in Premierships like we have hot dinners, ably supported by a cast of champions. He then left, unheard of at the time and a move that sparked the destruction of our once proud club. Do I blame him for that, a little but I mainly blame a board so shortsighted and so far up their own importance that they would let this happen.

Anyway enough of my ramblings on events long gone and back to what saddens me so much today. That Robbie could be gone is beyond sad. It's heartbreaking for all footy people but his family aside it's particularly heartbreaking for a club that has had to mourn so much. Troy Broadbridge, Sean Wight, Jim Stynes, tanking. players leaving, mounting losses, dwindling relevance, not to mention a failed merger attempt. Surely this was enough!

Now we wake up on Saturday without our greatest club Champion, a man who epitomised what football used to be about. He played with grace, an unbelievable grace. He was quick, evaded trouble like no other player, could run but the thing I remember the most was he could mark. Boy, could he mark that ball. His lean arms would reach toward the heavens and he would pluck that ball down, 1 firm and graceful grab. More often than not before he had landed he was off, gliding down the MCG wing right in front of me driving the ball forward in the hope that a goal would amount. In those days it rarely did but not to matter we had Robbie and he had his wing.

Then in 1987 the unthinkable occurred. We made the finals, thanks largely to not just his exploits, including 5 glorious goals in the last round at The Whitten Oval, surely my happiest day as a Melbourne supporter.But also because of his presence. We did "it" for Robbie. The whole club and it's supporters lifted for the man. He inspired us to believe and we did. Then that kick by Gary Buckenara that ended his career and all our hopes and dreams. Who of us hadn't imagined Robbie holding up The Premiership Cup that year. The MCG ablaze in red and blue and Robbie standing their with those arms holding all of us up toward the Heavens.

RIP Robbie, you will be sorely missed

[Gorgoroth 12,325]

I think Flower did not win as many as he missed games each year.

I may be wrong but I thought he got injured a bit.

[FootyPoet 7]

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 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,

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 last 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,

Then out of the blue he dobbed two in a row,

"CARNA 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 was the Dees next chore.

'Bout finals experience we didn't want to know,

With 18 Demons having a red hot go,

We reckoned we'd see our Robbie hold up,

The 1987 Premiership Cup.

Well disposing of North was an absolute breeze

And we demolished the Swans with consummate ease,

But the Preliminary Final dealt a cruel blow,

How the Hawks got up, I'll never know.

The game'll be remembered as one of the greats,

But how could it happen that miss by Yeats,

Then Eishold and Campbell each missed a sitter,

But it was that last fifteen metres that left us bitter.

We cried tears in buckets for Robbie Flower,

Who was cruelly robbed of his finest hour.

The Dees'll kick on and win flags there's no doubt,

But what a sad way for the great man to go out.

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 the power,

Of our Demon hero, Robbie Flower.

Round 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.

Thank you for posting my poem, I am amazed that you have kept it all those years. I signed up to Demonland just to respond. By the time I had the absolute honour of reciting it at his Testimonial Dinner in 1988 I had made a few slight changes to it and I have edited your original post above to show it as it now stands. Just added a few missing verses too.

Thanks to David Schwartz and his producer Mitch for allowing me to record it at SEN yesterday, and Eddie for the very appropriate music he put behind it. https://soundcloud.com/sen1116/ode-to-robbie-flower

There has never been a more inspirational footballer than Robbie Flower. He was my hero.

Condolences to the entire Flower family who must be feeling the pain we are all feeling, a hundred times over.

Edited October 7, 2014 by FootyPoet

[gsmith12 491]

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

Thanks for posting, great memories and brought a few tears I don't mind admitting.

Saw quite a bit of RF particularly in the eighties, just a magic footballer.

[the pearl 29]

Stunned when Barass sent all to one side of the ground except Rob Flower on the Member's wing. The ball was kicked in Flower's general direction for one out contests. Time and time again, he won the contests and we went into attack or scored. Rob Flower was on the same plane as Hudson and Carey, in terms of the way he was the basis for a whole team offence - probably better than both of them because he could and would beat any player he was up against. Easily the best player I've ever seen anywhere!

RIP, you shining light!

[Chook in Perth 2,012]

Thank you for posting my poem, I am amazed that you have kept it all those years. I signed up to Demonland just to respond. By the time I had the absolute honour of reciting it at his Testimonial Dinner in 1988 I had made a few slight changes to it and I have edited your original post above to show it as it now stands.

Thanks to David Schwartz and his producer Mitch for allowing me to record it at SEN yesterday, and Eddie for the very appropriate music he put behind it. https://soundcloud.com/sen1116/ode-to-robbie-flower

There has never been a more inspirational footballer than Robbie Flower. He was my hero.

Condolences to the entire Flower family who must be feeling the pain we are all feeling, a hundred times over.

the power of the internet. amazing Greg.

I used your Ode as the basis for many a school project.

to this day I occasionally break out "Dunstalls kicked truly, Hawthorns im front you bloody beauty"

im away down the coast for the weekend, but I have a jpg of a very, very yellow piece of local newspaper I'll post next week.

[Grapeviney 8,835]

Some more highlights - and much better quality - in this tribute vid on the AFL website:

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

[MO FINE 146]

Some more highlights - and much better quality - in this tribute vid on the AFL website:

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

Posting because I just kept screaming "encore" after seeing it the first time.

[Whispering_Jack 27,992]

Watching the vision brings back so many memories. I'm convinced now that he was the most skilful player the game has ever seen.

As Joni Mitchell wrote in her song:-

"Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got

'Till it's gone" ...

[gsmith12 491]

Watching the vision brings back so many memories. I'm convinced now that he was the most skilful player the game has ever seen.

As Joni Mitchell wrote in her song:-

"Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you've got

'Till it's gone" ...

With you there Jack with Baldock second in my time.

[Biffen 12,330]

Some of the footage I have seen recently makes me think he was easily the best player i have seen.

The way he could mark,play on and assess the ground ahead for a target without even looking at the ball as he bounced it.

He would draw tacklers to himself,evade them and then hit a forward lace out or just bang it through.

The footage of him playing for the Vics shows him in perfect position and hitting targets with every touch.The same can't be said of Grieg or Knights.

Bradman like skill and humility.

[Damo 2,995]

Paul Kelly has been asked to sing at the funeral.

[Strapping Young Lad 227]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-10-06/robert-flower-memorial-service-details

Details for the memorial service.

[nutbean 8,837]

Its a travesty he only won 1, he should have won 6 at the least

Whoever voted back then has a lot to answer for

H_H - witnessing those times I put it down to two reasons.

1/ During his prime there was a leaning to give votes to down and dirty, in the trenches type of players - Wells, Fowler, Icke - even Big Bakes was a rough and tumble ruckman

2/ He set such abnormally high standards. His ordinary games were still very good but we came to expect absolute brilliance every week. ( and most weeks he delivered that). No disrespect to Laurie Fowler - but he was a "throw himself under the bus footballer" and his good games would get him BOG whereas the expectation on Robbie was much higher.

My opinion for what it's worth.

For what it is worth - he is the best footballer I have ever seen play by a long way. ( outside of the MFC - Leigh Matthews). He could do things that left you breathless. Yes he could mark, yes you couldn't figure out which foot was his natural foot. , yes he was quick. But it was his dancing feet that made him special and made many footballers look absolutely foolish. His turns, baulks and spins were poetry.

[Kumamoto_Ken 1,531]

I’ll add my few cents…possibly probably a bit self-indulgent but hopefully that can be excused for an occasional poster in these circumstances.

My dad started taking me to the footy in about 1981 when I was 10 and my sister was 8. From that time on we went to nearly all the home games at the ‘G, often to Waverly Arctic Park, and then as we got older to more and more of the enemy territories (Moorabin, Western Oval including that game in ‘87, and the Junction). So I was fortunate enough to see Robbie play a lot, and he was my hero from Day 1. I think I’ve taken for granted how often I got to see him play, and reading the responses here from the younger members makes me appreciate it more.

We lived on the Mornington Peninsula but my dad was originally a Murrumbeena boy and when he was 21/22 and playing for Murrumbeena 1s he also coached the Murrumbeena Districts under 11s, featuring none other than R. Flower.

I live in country NSW now but was visiting my folks this past week while the kids were on school holidays so we did a lot of reminiscing and also a lot of rummaging around in my old bedroom, and this was in the cupboard. It’s hard to see (camera photo) but there are two signatures on the number two: Flower and Barassi. Believe it or not in the pocket was a ticket (booked through Bass!) for the 13^th of September 1987 (the flogging of the Swans).

After more digging around we also uncovered the poster that adorned my wall from the mid-80s until I left home (longer really, as I kept coming home to play cricket on weekends, so it remained on display in my room).

Dad has more stuff, a picture of the U11s side, the gift they gave him as coach, a three page fax from Robbie that Paul O’Brien (who taught with dad ) organised when dad finally gave up the teaching game.

Memorabilia aside, my memories of Robbie the footballer are inclined towards hero-worship, no matter what happened he could do no wrong. Watching the old youtube stuff shows things I’d forgotten, or possibly never appreciated, how quick he was, how he routinely made would-be tacklers look silly, how his kicks were low and very penetrating.

It’s horribly sad and my heart goes out to his family.

To complete the loop a little, for me anyway, when I was at Uni I ended up living in Murrumbeena and although I’d been playing Rugby Union while at Uni (more as a drinking exercise than physical exercise) I had a crack at footy for one year because I knew I was moving overseas the next. I played at the ‘Beena, 15-16 very undistinguished games in the Magoos as a ‘determined backman’. Great fun, made great friends and was proud as punch to play at the same club as my dad.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Kumamoto_Ken