RIP Robbie.....

...........as a mid-forty something lifelong Demons supporter I had pleasure of being spellbound by 'Robbie's' genius as a pre-adult in what were arguably, in my living memory anyway, the most uncompetitive years of the MFC. During this time I had the pleasure, on a dozen or so occasions of seeing the 'maestro' play live, including the entire 1987 finals series.....the other performances were sometimes relayed on the radio (MFC....not very often), or in the papers.....not usually 'Back Page Stuff' though......but the odd bit got in there!

But this thread is not about what I witnessed and experienced when it comes to Robbie Flower.......it's about making sure his contribution to the game of Australian Football, the VFL and the Melbourne Football Club (and Melbourne Cricket Club even though I don't think they were affiliated with the MFC at the time) is recognised in perpetuity!!

Now........this week we have experience another modern football phenomenon, 'The Draft Combine' and the beginnings of the toing's and froing's of another trade period.

But. in a quiet moment this afternoon I pondered how OUR Robbie would have stacked up in such a clinical, regimented, cut-throat, measured and forceful environment?

How would he have done in the

• 20 sprint
• repeat sprint
• 3km time trial
• standing jump
• agility test
• Nathan Buckley Kick Test

and all the other 'measurements' that are supposed to help separate the 'want-to-be's' from the 'genuine articles'.

Personally I think it would have been a monumental achievement for Robbie if he had even been invited to attend in the first place, and that makes me think of the loss to our game if such a genius was overlooked and NEVER had the opportunity to show, or express, his skills and intricate understanding of our great game.

Yesterday I listened to many stories and anecdotes on SEN about our lost champion and my mind has 'stuck fast' to the verse of this Ode to Robbie Flower suggesting the 'Member's Wing' take on his name.(http://www.sen.com.au/audio look for the Ode to Robbie Flower).

Robbie was more than just a great player, he was a genuine leader of men..........Let's face it anyone who is selected Captain of their state team for the annual 'State of Origin', while their own team is on the bottom of the ladder has something beyond physical ability that others respect and admire greatly.

SO, let's make sure his legacy is not just confined to the MFC annuls and is a part of the AFL/MFC forever by SUPPORTING THE IDEA of THE ROBBIE FLOWER MEMBERS WING.

I don't know where else to start this 'push' but I am sure many on here have the connections to make it happen.

Go Dees.

Great idea, but why as a society do we always wait till someone dies before we decide to honour them in this kind of way. I'd love this to happen but it would've been great for him to be honored with his name on that piece of hallowed turf while he was still living

I have a feeling the MCC may be working on something like this. I could imagine a statue as well.

They would be well deserved.

Given the way he graced and dominated the game at the MCG for long, I would name both wings the Robbie Flower wing.

I have a feeling the MCC may be working on something like this. I could imagine a statue as well.

They would be well deserved.

Absolutely, Robbie is the major reason my 3 boys elected to stick with the Demons.

All born early seventies and experienced little joy during the ensuing lean time for the club apart from #2 who was a beacon.