RIP Robbie Flower - Sad Passing of a True Champion

[Grapeviney 8,815]

There's a Robbie tribute on SEN right now, it's midway through an earlier long interview with Robbie, Finey and Geoff Poulter.

Hopefully they'll put up the audio on their website at some stage.

[Moonshadow 16,115]

If it hasn't been mentioned before, there is a public memorial service on Monday at the MCG.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mcg-to-host-memorial-service-for-melbourne-great-robbie-flower-20141006-10r2b5.html

[Go the Biff 3,124]

Some years ago, Demonland's markc put together a DVD of Robbie's highlights sourced from various videotapes & tv replays.

He kindly made this available to Demonland / Demonology posters in return for a small donation to the club

Technology has moved on a bit - we now have YouTube so with Chook in Perth's prompting and his then obtaining markc's agreement, I've uploaded it for all to view

It's just shy of 17 minutes that most of us will watch more than once I'm tipping

Thanks markc

Robbie Flower Highlights

[Grapeviney 8,815]

Awesome stuff - thanks to both of you GtB and markc

Plenty of stuff in that footage that is not contained in the other tribute videos floating around.

[markc 975]

I wish I could take all the credit for it but alas I only arranged the copies

I believe Ash ( member here also ) at the time arranged the clips and I just arranged the copes and handed them out

all monies collected was sent to the club at the time

i must say at times like this and with family matters myself i thank demonland for being here

its such a great place to come and take your mind of other things and enjoy reading about the MFC

mark

[Grimes Times 1,278]

I wish I could take all the credit for it but alas I only arranged the copies

I believe Ash ( member here also ) at the time arranged the clips and I just arranged the copes and handed them out

all monies collected was sent to the club at the time

i must say at times like this and with family matters myself i thank demonland for being here

its such a great place to come and take your mind of other things and enjoy reading about the MFC

mark

I received a copy of the Robbie DVD many years ago dug it up last Friday night and watched it.

From memory Ash was an Essendon supporter who would read Demoanld as his wife was a Melbourne supporter?????

Edited October 7, 2014 by Grimes Times

[markc 975]

yes Ash was a Essendon supporter

very nice bloke

[Sir Why You Little 34,420]

Wow i just looked up the stats.

Robbie's first game was on my 10th Birthday.

I remember that day so well sitting next to the Smokers Stand Ponsford side.

[Whispering_Jack 27,927]

Robbie's first game

[Go the Biff 3,124]

Great find WJ. And good to be reminded that 3KZ IS football

Jeez you look at some of the names in that team & you wonder why we were so rubbish

Diamond Jim might pay a handsome price for that footy record. 6 goals from the big unit !

[picket fence 15,059]

Rob loved days like today.

He probably would have thought it a tad hot for footy, but would have played and dominated, anyway.

His greatest pastime on days like to day would be cooking a BBQ for family and friends, playing golf, or on his boat catching a few "Flatties" and maybe the odd "Schnapper" in Port Phillip bay, or just shooting the breeze on his sundeck at Sorrento.

Rob was at his happiest when you were happy, it seemed as if by some magical formula he had the "knack" of making you feel as if you were the most important person at that moment he was speaking to you. He loved his family and he loved and valued his friends!

Charismatic people have this gift. Some use it for gain, and power, Rob used his charisma because he was genuinely interested in you and your family.

Yes Rob was a "Superstar" footballer Bernie Quinlan so rightly said yesterday.

But Above and Beyond he was a "Mega Superstar" person! Is this not a better, more substantially satisfying legacy to leave?

In private life he was a generous with his time and expertise, as he appeared in public life.

I have seen and been lucky enough to witness the way he gently and compassionately met people who at the conclusion of an interaction walked away much happier for the experience. Floating on air is as real as an experienceI have seen and been a part of, and just as euphoric! Just ask any who met him and knew him. I count myself extremely lucky and enriched by knowing him as a friend and mentor! The Euphoria stayed with you and lingered on and on.

Over the 35 odd years I have known the man, I have been extremely fortunate to have been welcomed into part of the fabric of his life.

He had many "Brothers" in arms and his own two brothers, Tom and Jim must have thought that they had won tattslotto every day of their lives having him as a brother.

I can tell you he felt the same way about them!

A more gentle, humble, empathic, generous, self effacing, humorous, genuine person you could not find than Rob Flower.

I was at his funeral yesterday, and I will be at his public funeral tomorrow.

Each time I look up at the sky on a clear night I will seek out the brightest star. If all stars represent great people, then Rob's star will surely be the brightest!

With more people like Rob Flower in the world, it would be a more sensational place to be!

Vale Rob Flower, a shining light in my life, never forgotten, always remembered

"No Regrets"

Thanks mate

Edited October 12, 2014 by picket fence

[Pirlo 518]

I love the banner, a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. Would love it if we could something going with a legend from each era.

Eg:

Checker > Smith > Barrass > Mann > Flower > Stynes > Neitz > Jones

[gsmith12 491]

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.

Nice post Ken, I can relate to what you saw of Robbie as I started taking my 4 kids to Demon games in 1982 when I was in Ballarat.

My eldest is your age and he treasures the memories of RF as do my other children.

Sad as you say to see another Demon legend pass.

[Whispering_Jack 27,927]

FROM THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB SITE:

A MEMORIAL service to celebrate the life of Robert Flower will be held at the MCG on Monday 13 October at 2pm.

Details of the service are below.

- The memorial service will be held in the Members Dining Room for family, friends and colleagues of Robert. Refreshments will follow this memorial service in the Long Room.

- The Percy Beames Bar will be available for the broader public who loved Robert from afar, where a live broadcast of the memorial service will be shown.

Free parking will be available in Yarra Park via Gate 3 from 12:30pm. Attendees are to enter the MCG via Gate 2 and take escalators to Level 2 or use lifts (5, 6 & 7).

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,381]

I remember Tom Flower playing a few games for Melbourne. But I didn't know Rob had another brother, Jim. Did he ever play football at the highest level?

[Demon Head 250]

Edited October 13, 2014 by Demon Head

[dee-luded 2,958]

Life : contrasts & choices

buy invitation

[tilly18 276]

Attended the service today. It was a moving day.

Those that knew him personally loved him for his off field achievements rather than his on field brilliance

What a great man.

[gsmith12 491]

Thankyou Bernie Quinlan for your wonderful tribute to Robbie Flower.

Coming from a celebrated champion such as yourself means a great deal to to countless Demon supporters.

[Earl Hood 5,787]

Thankyou Bernie Quinlan for your wonderful tribute to Robbie Flower.

Coming from a celebrated champion such as yourself means a great deal to to countless Demon supporters.

Yes looking at the tributes, Quinlan was fantastic and Greg Shalless and his poem was first class.

But I heard Dipper was there?? Really?

Sorry I hold some old grudges that Robbie, God Rest his Soul, never did!

Edited October 13, 2014 by Earl Hood

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,089]

I too was at the G today and felt priviledged to be there.

His brother Tom spoke beautifully, i struggled to stop the eyes welling with tears when he said he didnt just lose a brother, he lost his hero. All who spoke today held themselves together beautifully, but had moments where they could not hold back their emotions. Mike Sheahan probably most notably of all speakers when he told of how Robbie asked Mikes permission to chat to his daughter about an illness she had been dealing with at the time.

Greg Shaless read his ode to Robbie Flower whilst they played highlights of his career...again i struggled not to cry.

A beautiful service, but such a sad loss for his family and friends. It seems the genius we all know who owned the members wing at the G was just as idolised by those that had any dealings or contact with him in life away from the MCG.

I have no doubt there will be a statue somewhere near that wing in the near future!

We will all miss you Bob. Thankyou for the many memories of you that can never be erased from our minds.

[Satan 2,722]

Yes looking at the tributes, Quinlan was fantastic and Greg Shalless and his poem was first class.

But I heard Dipper was there?? Really?

Sorry I hold some old grudges that Robbie, God Rest his Soul, never did!

dipper and robbie were at the grand final together.

[dee-luded 2,958]

rememberingrobbie

sorry i couldn't make it, missed the day, missed the celebration, not feeling up to it,

just trying to imagine it there today

r.i.p. rf

[Sir Why You Little 34,420]

Was Big Carl at the 'G on monday?

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,089]

Was Big Carl at the 'G on monday?

I was in the Percy Beames bar WYL, all friends family colleagues etc were inside the members dining room, so I'm not sure, however he was mentioned twice during the service so u would not be surprised if he was in there. T Viney said during his speech that Robbie loved playing with Big Carl!