RIP Robbie Flower - Sad Passing of a True Champion

[Deestroy All 14,262]

I was only 9 when he retired. When we were asked in primary school who our favourite player was, my answer in the early days was Robbie Flower. I just wish I got to watch him play when I had a better understanding and appreciation of the game.

My uncle, who made me a Demons supporter has always lit up when he talks about watching Robbie play, he doesn't talk like that about anyone else, you can see the genuine enjoyment he gets just from those memories, it's swesome.

We got to meet Robbie the last time we belted Brisbane at the G. Like Big Jim, Robbie approached us and was a genuinely warm and down to earth bloke. I'm glad to have met him, watched him and that he was part of the MFC.

Best wishes to all who knew him.

Rest in peace.

[dee-luded 2,959]

For what it's worth, i'm sure Robbie is more than proud we have this guy well and truly giving his number the honour it deserves:

he Honors the Jumper, & he honors the Number.

that Jones boy

[Redleg 40,809]

RIP Robbie.

With RDB the greatest two players ever in the history of the MFC. However only one of the two remained a Demon all his career.

Like all who knew him I am gutted. He was a friend of our family and attended my son's 13th birthday, giving him a framed autographed jumper.

At a club banquet auction I purchased a life size photo, which went in my son's room and is still now in our hallway. It is just about my most prized possession. When he was over one day, I showed him the photo and he said he couldn't understand how my son could go to sleep seeing him on the wall. Easy I told him, you are our hero. And he was.

My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, team mates and all those who like my family loved this guy. We have all lost a legend.

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 771]

Thanks for the purest demonland banner yet.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

he Honors the Jumper, & he honors the Number.

that Jones boy

don't get me started, i'll never stop. It's not his day anyways , it's the day of the greatest player to ever wear that number.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Thanks for the purest demonland banner yet.

i love it. It's like he's looking over his shoulder, asking the players which one of them are willing to give it everything for the jumper: "come on boys, who's with me?"

Sadly, not many from the current era would be able to look him the eye and say "I am."

[Bring Back Barassi 552]

Tears welling up, lump in the throat

Totally devastated

[McQueen 17,864]

One of the main reasons I decided to support the Demons was because of Robbie.

RIP.

Thanks for all the wonderful memories.

[Palace Dees 2,270]

Like 'return of the dees' my first year of 35 years consecutive membership was 1981. I was playing amateur football on Saturdays, the only day that the then VFL also played. I therefore only got to use my membership a couple of times per year. I barracked for Melbourne but didn't love the club - until Robbie. I couldn't believe the skills, grace and the football poetry I saw in Robbie on the few times MFC would be on the Saturday night replays. In an age of 'last man standing' I didn't know football could be so pure and have the visual equivalent of hearing your favourite song. I knew I had to see him perform in person - and perform he did. He was simply the greatest artist in his field - literally. He never transgressed the rules but had to suffer those that believed it was the only way to stop him. Incredibly courageous as well as talented he was the perfect role model and a hero for my young son as well as me. Because of you Robbie, the MFC now has 10 paid up life long members in my immediate family. You were the human version of what I want my club to be still. Proud yet gracious, brave yet fair, a winner (individually) yet humble, loyal yet balanced, gifted yet tenacious. The closest thing to perfection I have seen and undoubtedly the greatest person/footballer combination we have blessed to call our own. No loss outside my family has affected me as much as yours tonight. You were, and always will be, Melbourne to me.

[darkhorse72 1,901]

VALE Robbie

Devastated and so young as well. My favourite player of all time and one of the if not the greatest wingman to play. Pure talent.

[Undeeterred 3,117]

Too young to really appreciate what he meant, but watching those videos, wow. What a genius.

[Magoo 40]

In some ways, I'm pleasantly surprised at how much he's revered by supporters of other clubs, too - after all, games then weren't all televised like nowadays, plus, as we tended not to get the 4 points, we were seldom on replay.

If all & sundry could have seen him more often (not to mention all the old footage we'd now have compared to what we do), he'd be there with Lethal & the Duck.

Edited October 2, 2014 by Magoo

[Jara 1,153]

My god. Just home, catching up on Demonland.

Only to find this.

Broken hearted. I loved that man. He was what football was all about: grace, decency, courage, loyalty.

Vale.

[Tim 3,413]

RIP Robbie.

With RDB the greatest two players ever in the history of the MFC. However only one of the two remained a Demon all his career.

Like all who knew him I am gutted. He was a friend of our family and attended my son's 13th birthday, giving him a framed autographed jumper.

At a club banquet auction I purchased a life size photo, which went in my son's room and is still now in our hallway. It is just about my most prized possession. When he was over one day, I showed him the photo and he said he couldn't understand how my son could go to sleep seeing him on the wall. Easy I told him, you are our hero. And he was.

My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, team mates and all those who like my family loved this guy. We have all lost a legend.

Well said, Red.

[Demon Dynasty 17,109]

My boyhood idol & the only champion i was ever blessed to watch from the MFC during my time so far. Was lucky enough to watch him from day one to his last in the 87 Prelim.

For those who may have been too young to have seen him live he was majestic in every way. Amazing reader of ball in flight and just so quick and elusive. If there was a way to get around an opposing player this was the man and the way he looked in full flight was pure magic. This guy wasn't taught how to be great...he was born with a gift and the grace to play our game in a way we might never see the likes of again.

R.I.P. Mr R. Flower and thank you so much for the great memories and helping us get to the finals for the first time for me in 87. It was exhilarating!

Condolences to family, friends, playing buddies and all at the MFC. Such a loss, way too early

[Bonkers 994]

For some strange reason I started following the dees during this great mans last game. On the same day today I've had to say farewell to a lifetime friend & my best mates dad. Sometimes there aren't enough words. Rest in peace Gaz & Robbie.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,589]

I highly recommend some of the youtube videos recording some of his amazing highlights and ability to effortlesly wrong foot and weave around whom ever he came up against. Wow.

[picket fence 17,030]

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.

Well said Dazzle, Although we " joust" Your words ring true! I have just arrived home and although a big day I like and appreciate your words!

"Fence"

Edited October 2, 2014 by picket fence

[Bobby McKenzie 2,383]

Shocked and so saddened by this tragic news. As a PE teacher at Cheltenham High, I had the the opportunity of seeing Robbie representing Murrumbeena High in action in a footy match against my boys. Let me quote an extract from my book written in 2000.

' As coach, I told my charges that to win they had to stop the skinny, bespectacled kid at centre half forward. He was amazing. He was taking strong marks overhead and his ground play was nothing short of uncanny. He kicked six goals and earned many kicks and handballs. I tried five different players on him all to no avail. "He's too quick sir! I even tried to iron him out but he dodged me easily." commented my so called 'strong man'. It was this boy with his six goals that was the difference between the teams and we lost by eighteen points. I couldn't help admire his skills and I spoke to him as he was leaving the field. "Well played son! I reckon you'll play league one day. What's your name? I asked.

He looked a little embarrassed and answered quietly, 'Robert Flower'. Yes, it was THE Robert Flower who was, in a couple of years, to delight football fans all over Australia with his fairness, courage and deft skills. Despite his fail body and his contact lenses, he managed to play 272 games with the Melbourne Football Club and played for Victoria fifteen times.' What a champion he was.

Many of WA friends have told me that one of the main reasons for going to an Interstate game against Victoria was to see the great Robbie Flower in action.

Vale, Robbie the brave. You along with Ron Barassi were my MFC legends. My sincere condolences to the Flower family.

Edited October 5, 2014 by Bobby McKenzie

[chook fowler 19,444]

Devastated to hear of Robbies passing. Mike Sheahans obituary said it all.

Seems unfair that we have lost so many great demons way too young.

Remember first seeing him play in glasses before he made it too the seniors. Looked so unlikely but played with true artistry.

Will forever be my idol.

[Sir Why You Little 36,954]

Look at that Banner...

Look again. Robbie was the best player the Demons have produced.

Norm coached great sides.

Robbie was the best player the MFC have had.

0 Brownlows. What a digrace.

Should have won at least 7.

Pathetic.

[bing181 9,193]

Meant to say, for those who never got to see him live, the closest I can think of in comparison as a Dees supporter and spectator was Liam Jurrah - even the opposition supporters would applaud the magic, and always with much shaking of heads. "How did he do that".

[joeboy 3,163]

I was privileged to have met Robbie a number of times both when he was still playing and afterwards when he was a businessman.

At all times he was the most humble, unassuming, and polite gentleman.

His statue must be the next to be erected outside the MCG , ideally somewhere adjacent to the wing that he invariably 'owned'.

[Travis Boots 157]

Very sad news. Condolences to Robbie's family

[hardtack 10,514]

Was sitting on a train somewhere between Berlin and Brussels when I got this news. A sad sad day. Vale Robbie.