Jump to content

Discussion on recent allegations about the use of illicit drugs in football is forbidden
  • IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

    Posting unsubstantiated rumours on this website is strictly forbidden.

    Demonland has made the difficult decision to not permit this platform to be used to discuss & debate the off-field issues relating to the Melbourne Football Club including matters currently being litigated between the Club & former Board members, board elections, the issue of illicit drugs in footy, the culture at the club & the personal issues & allegations against some of our players & officials ...

    We do not take these issues & this decision lightly & of course we believe that these serious matters affecting the club we love & are so passionate about are worthy of discussion & debate & I wish we could provide a place where these matters can be discussed in a civil & respectful manner.

    However these discussions unfortunately invariably devolve into areas that may be defamatory, libelous, spread unsubstantiated rumours & can effect the mental health of those involved. Even discussion & debate of known facts or media reports can lead to finger pointing, blame & personal attacks.

    The repercussion is that these discussions can open this website, it’s owners & it’s users to legal action & may result in this website being forced to shutdown.

    Our moderating team are all volunteers & cannot moderate the forum 24/7 & as a consequence problematic content that contravenes our rules & standards may go unnoticed for some time before it can be removed.

    We reserve the right to delete posts that offend against our above policy & indeed, to ban posters who are repeat offenders or who breach our code of conduct.

    WE HAVE BUILT A FANTASTIC ONLINE COMMUNITY AT DEMONLAND OVER THE PAST 23 YEARS & WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE CLUB WE LOVE & ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT.

    Thank you for your continued support & understanding. Go Dees.


RIP Robbie Flower - Sad Passing of a True Champion


KLV

Recommended Posts

Absolutely tragic news! Sincerest condolences to his family.

What a truly great he was of our great footy club. Loved the way he played. Was gutted for him when he missed out on playing in a Grand Final back in 1987 due to Jimmy's unfortunate blunder. Then further gutted for him the next year, when Melb made the Grand Final, and he was given the honour of presenting the medals, only to have to do it to the OTHER team, with Melb being well and truly thumped that sad day in Sept 1988!

I guess I'm even more sobered due to the fact he was just 59, and I'll be marking my 61st birthday tomorrow. Will make my celebration just a little more hollow. How fragile is life, and to be treasured while we have it.

RIP Robbie!!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A very sad day. Robbie was one of the greats of the club and the sport as a whole, and more importantly one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Best wishes to his friends and family.

I was only 8 in 1987 but it was a massive thrill to see Robbie's finals dream come to fruitition and I named my Demon Ruckle after the great man. RIP.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep me too Bbo

A bit of my youth died last night.

Thank you for all the great memories Tulip.

Thats how I feel too OD. I can still remember his first game when an unknown stick insect called Robert Flower kicked his first goal o debut and joined in the thrashing of Geelong at the G'.

I remember in those days that there was little strategy in football - the most that would happen is players would get moved around, but after Robbie had established himself and declared his genius after a couple of seasons I distinctly remember that we employed this play after the opposition kicked a point. We would stack one side of the ground with all our players except Robbie. We would leave him one out on the half back flank. And then the fullback would just kick the ball to Robbie one on one and he would outmark his opponent or bring it to ground and take off with the ball 11 times out of 10. The pity was he had no one to kick it to as we fairly awful in those days.

I vividly remember Robbie turning the last game of 87 against the dogs where we needed to win to make the finals on its head in a devastating 10 minute burst just after half time.

And one other fond memory was either the final against Swans when he went off the ground to rest him up with about 10 minutes left in the match and the surge of applause and cheering ( read love) when he came off the ground. Just an outpouring of emotion.

I stayed up late last night and read Robbie ( written by Robbie with Ron Reed) which holds place of honour in my bookcase.

During his early years we knew we going to get hammered every week but we went because we get to see a magician ply his trade.

You are right OD , a little bit of my youth died last night.

Edited by nutbean
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was honoured to watch him play throughout his career and glad he experienced the 1987 finals in his last year. What an incredible player - a shining light during very dim times and by all accounts a wonderfully humble man off the field. Another great who will be sadly missed. Condolences to all of his loved ones.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm wearing red and blue to work today as a tribute to the great man.

good idea...so will I.

maybe such an idea could be spread. A sea of Red and Blue as a mark of respect for this great bloke .

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I am stunned by this terribly sad news.

Like many others here I was too young to see him play but almost feel like I have through the eloquent postings often appearing in Demonland. Has the pleasure of meeting him and listening to him speak and, not only was he a wonderful player, but he was an amazing human.

My heart goes out to his family, friends and all those whose lives he made, even just a little bit, better.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just put this up on my fb page

I invite others to do similar and maybe we can see Red and Blue in honour of the great man Robert Flower:

"Yesterday we lost a great champion of the game , a legend of the MFC and a inspiration to many a budding footballer. As a mark of respect today I will wear some red and blue. I invite you all, of any club's following to join as tribute to a man who played the game with honour for his club, respect for his team mates and those of his opposition. At a time when supposed champions make a mockery of their privilege Robbie Flower showed humility and great courage. He never put himself above the game he loved , nor the Club he championed but in doing so stood taller than all of it. A good man passed, may many of his kind follow."

16aazpf.jpg

  • Like 14
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just put this up on my fb page

I invite others to do similar and maybe we can see Red and Blue in honour of the great man Robert Flower:

"Yesterday we lost a great champion of the game , a legend of the MFC and a inspiration to many a budding footballer. As a mark of respect today I will wear some red and blue. I invite you all, of any club's following to join as tribute to a man who played the game with honour for his club, respect for his team mates and those of his opposition. At a time when supposed champions make a mockery of their privilege Robbie Flower showed humility and great courage. He never put himself above the game he loved , nor the Club he championed but in doing so stood taller than all of it. A good man passed, may many of his kind follow."

16aazpf.jpg

Forgive me, but this was beautifully worded so I have plagiarised it for my FB page. ( gave you credit though !)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting to see former footballers on the front pages of this morning's newspapers.

Both revered by their respective Clubs.

One played in a Premiership and won a Brownlow, the other one didn't.

One was the epitome of selflessness, grace & humility, the other one isn't.

Was thinking the same.

There is injustice in many places and ways and this encapsulates it in respect to our great game.

Such a sad way to be able to highlight the distinction of two types of men. I know who I would want to emulate and have others do so. As always , it more about substance ( npi ) than veneer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A true Champion of the game , for our Club and in life. Always made time for everybody whenever he could. Met him at a local North Hobart Demons Dinner in Hobart. He was the guest speaker. He willingly autographed my evening program. Wonderful man..Condolences to his family.. R.I.P. Robbie..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was too young to remember seeing Robbie play live.


I had to rely on me Dad, Uncles and Gpa telling me the stories of this MFC Icon.


I remember being a young kid in the back yard mimicking a player that I was too young to see play live, instead using my imagination from the stories shared to me.


But three things were told to me at I reckon every family gathering from when I can remember as a kid to 2003 when my Gpa passed away.


"He was the only reason we went to the football"


"He was the Dees for a period, where there was nothing"


"We were so bad, but we new Robbie would save the day"


Thanks for giving my MFC supporting Family and so many others hope, fantastic memories and a chance to share in a common bond.


One things for sure, when my Daughter is old enough, Robbie has jumped Jako and Stinga, as the first melbourne hero I will tell her about.


RIP to an Icon of our great Club.


Vale Robert 'Tulip' Flower. #2

Edited by stinga81
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is inconceivable that Robbie never won a Brownlow. Keith Greig was skillful but soft and won two of them. How does that work? How could thugs like Libba (who I hated) and Dippa (who I liked until he flattened Robbie in '87) win a best and FAIREST?

It is even harder to contemplate that he only won one Bluey Truscott trophy for B&F. It speaks volumes about the dysfunction of our club when one of the best players ever to play the game (let alone for our club), playing in a team which were pathetic, could only win the Bluey once.

Wearing Red & Blue today also.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


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

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

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.

Edited by The Song Formerly Known As
  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is inconceivable that Robbie never won a Brownlow. Keith Greig was skillful but soft and won two of them. How does that work? How could thugs like Libba (who I hated) and Dippa (who I liked until he flattened Robbie in '87) win a best and FAIREST?

It is even harder to contemplate that he only won one Bluey Truscott trophy for B&F. It speaks volumes about the dysfunction of our club when one of the best players ever to play the game (let alone for our club), playing in a team which were pathetic, could only win the Bluey once.

Wearing Red & Blue today also.

Couldnt agree more. Will always remember watching Dippa and I think it was Lethal line up Robbie in that game. You could see it like a train wreck and Robbie didnt flinch. Was a dog act. I suppose a peculiar mark of respect it too k them two to take out one.

Sometimes its only when yo look back you see things in a clearer focus and realise much of what is lauded and celebrated is really shallow , hollow and trivial.

Melbourne was lucky to have Flower as a player and the game was richer for his being a part of it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I reckon this one hurts more than any previous - abssolutely no disrepect to any that have departed.

Like most, I barrack for Melbourne wholey and soley due to my dad, who passed a couple of years ago, sadly in his later 50's too. I wouldn't have it any other way. Robbie gave him quite a deal of hope during those tough years, and the memories I have of "that" 1987 season, of going to the footy with my dad and watching Robbie alone, will never die.

My first MFC jumper had the number 2 on the back. At the start of 1988, my mum sewed a number 7 to it on the right of the existing number 2.

I'm in my 30's, and it's totally shattering that 3 of my top 4 all time favourite players are no longer with us (take care please, Wiz!). I should be celebrating their passing when I'm in my 50's or 60's, watching old footage with my son and daughter. Instead, I have to watch Youtube clips on my own because my boy is only 10 weeks old, and my girl (2) isn't really interested in Youtube unless it's to watch Peppa Pig or The Wiggles. The occasional "Go Dees" is quite cute though when she sees higlights of Robbie, but it brings a tear to the eye when it's not directed at the great man himself. It will one day.

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

He wore the #2 ..but willl always be my number One Demon

Well hopefully this number 2 and the other 2 ( 1+1 ) can guide us from above.

Two decent blokes taken way before their time.

Sad, and unfair :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all.    On that rainy Friday night at the Adelaide Oval, Ken Hinkley’s young midfield secured much more than four points on offer. The victory over one of the big dogs of the competition after a succession of wins over some of its lesser lights gave his team respect and validation fo

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Monday 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training. DEMON DYNASTY'S TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Kade Chandler's left knee heavily strapped. BBB, Spargs & Jake Lever also in rehab group. Jake Bowey solo running separate kicking/sprint/agility drills. Super fine morning / early arvo at Gosch's for the boys to blow out some cobwebs. Choco initially had the light duties / rehab group

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter. By the time they worked out it was game on, their opponents from Box Hill had accumulated five goals and, if the game wasn’t over, it might as well have been. For a se

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head. The Demons have now won nine of their last ten encounters with the other result, a draw.     And like a fork, it was the multi-pronged options that Melbourne had all across the ground.  It certainly helped that Hawthorn

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports 8

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in the Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 262

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 25th March @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we analyse the Demons victory at the MCG against the Hawks in the Round 02. You questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human. Listen & Chat

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 46

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 50

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 357

    GAMEDAY: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 437
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast 

  • Podcast Stream 


    Open Stream in
    New Window
        TuneIn    Opens in New Tab
  • Support Demonland  



  • 2021 Premiership  

  • Social Media 

  • Non MFC Games  

    NON-MFC: Round 03

    Discussion of all the other games that don't involve the Demons in Round 03 ... READ MORE

    Demonland | Round 03

  • Match Preview      

    DEPTH CHARGE by Whispering Jack

    The jubilation on the coach’s face as he danced a celebratory jig by the playing bench after the final siren sounded to record his team’s four-point victory over the Demons when the teams last met, said it all ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 27

  • Latest Podcast      

    PODCAST: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The boys dissected the clinical thrashing of Hawks praising the immense performance of Christian Petracca whilst lamenting the injury toll to our defensive unit ... LISTEN

    Demonland | March 26

  • Training  

    Monday, 25th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Demon Dynasty & Kev Martin were trackside at Gosch's Paddock today to bring you their observations from training ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • Casey Report      

    HIBERNATING by KC from Casey

    When they locked up the rooms for summer at the end of last year’s football season, the rooms gathered cobwebs, the atmosphere became dense and the place developed a sleepy feel. They opened up the rooms to let Casey out to play on Sunday but the team was still hibernating and they missed the bulk of the opening quarter ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 25

  • PreGame      

    PREGAME: Rd 03 vs Port Adelaide

    The Demons head out on the road for the next 2 weeks as they travel to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday and then have a 5 Day break before facing the Crows in Gather Round. With injuries to May and Lever who comes in and who goes out? ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 28

  • Match Report      

    A FORK IN THE HAWK by George on the Outer

    For too long in the past, Demon fans became habitually sick and tired of watching the Hawks hand out thrashings to their side. But Melbourne’s empahtic 55-point win at the MCG on Saturday has truly put a fork in the Hawk and turned that history well and truly on its head ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Post Game      

    POSTGAME: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    The Demons cruised to an easy 55 point win over the Hawks at the MCG but but paid a heavy toll on the injury front with Steven May & Jake Lever possibly sidelined for a number of weeks ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Votes      

    VOTES: Rd 02 vs Hawthorn

    Last week Steven May took the lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Jack Viney. Clayton Oliver & Max Gawn round out the Top 4. Your votes for the win/loss against/to the Hawks. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ...READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Game Day      

    GAMEDAY: Round 02 vs Hawthorn

    It's Game Day and after mixed results in the first two weeks of the season the Demons have the opportunity to capitalise on their good form last week when they take on the Hawks at the MCG today ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 23

  • Training  

    Friday, 22nd March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatcher Kev Martin and I attended the Captain's Run at Gosch's Paddock on this lovely sunny morning to bring you the following observations from the training session ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 22

  • Training  

    Tuesday, 19th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin & Walking Civil War attended Tuesday morning's training session at Gosch's Paddock to bring you the following observations ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 19

  • Training  

    Saturday, 16th March 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin and Dee Zephyr wandered down to Gosch's Paddock on Saturday morning to bring you their observations from the Captain's Run in the lead up to Sunday's Round One match against the Bulldogs ... READ MORE

    Demonland | March 16

  • Farewell  

    Angus Brayshaw Retires

    After 167 games including the drought breaking Premiership Angus Brayshaw has made the heart breaking decision to medically retire from football as a result of a series of serious head knocks over his nearly decade of footy. We wish Gus all the best and he'll always be a hero at Demonland ... READ MORE

    Demonland | February 22

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Koltyn Tholstrup Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club’s newest recruit Koltyn Tholstrup to have a chat about his journey from the farm to the Demons, his first few weeks of preseason training, which Dees have impressed him on the track and his aspirations of playing Round 1 ... LISTEN

    Demonland | December 14

  • Latest Podcast  

    PODCAST: Jason Taylor Interview

    I interview the Melbourne Football Club's National Recruitment Manager Jason Taylor to have a chat about our Trade and Draft period, our newest recruits, our recent recruits who have yet to debut as well as those father son prospects on the horizon ... LISTEN

    Demonland | November 27

  • Next Match 

    .

    Round 03

       vs   

    Saturday 30th March 2024
    @ 07:30pm (AO)

  • MFC Forum  

  • Match Previews & Reports  

  • Training Forum  

  • AFLW Forum  

  • 2024 Player Sponsorship

  • Topics

  • Injury List  


      PLAYER INJURY LENGTH
    Jake Lever Knee Test
    Clayton Oliver Hand Test
    Oliver Sestan Concussion Test
    Steven May Ribs 1 Week
    Lachie Hunter Calf 1 Week
    Daniel Turner Hip 2-3 Weeks
    Charlie Spargo Achilles 2-4 Weeks
    Shane McAdam Hamstring 3-5 Weeks
    Jake Bowey Shoulder 7 Weeks
    Jake Melksham ACL 12-14 Weeks
    Joel Smith Suspension TBA

  • Player of the Year  


        PLAYER VOTES
    1 Christian Petracca 27
    2 Steven May 25
    3 Max Gawn 21
    4 Jack Viney 20
    5 Bayley Fritsch 19
    6 Clayton Oliver 18
    7 Christian Salem 12
    8 Blake Howes 11
    9 Jack Billings 10
    9 Alex Neal-Bullen 10

        FULL TABLE
  • Demonland Interviews 



  • Upcoming Events 

×
×
  • Create New...