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.

I heard the Ox on radio during friday say that he firmly believes the club and all its past & present employees will galvanise strongly over this death.

Even moreso than Jimmy

Robbie 2 Flower was everyone's number one.

Even Big Jimma would agree

Robbie's eary death will make the MFC stronger

I heard the Ox on radio during friday say that he firmly believes the club and all its past & present employees will galvanise strongly over this death.

Even moreso than Jimmy

Robbie 2 Flower was everyone's number one.

Even Big Jimma would agree

Robbie's eary death will make the MFC stronger

I think you're right.

Chunk is going to play like a man possessed next year. Just watch.

I think you're right.

Chunk is going to play like a man possessed next year. Just watch.

yes i think he will.

We need to draft a key forward to help Dawes so that Hogan is not pressured early on.