Jump to content

Robbie Flower's greatest goal


Whispering_Jack

Recommended Posts

Back in the 1970s when Robbie started, there were usually only two games shown on television by replay on Saturday evening. With Melbourne occupying a lowly spot on the ladder, our games were rarely shown on replay (it didn't matter if you were a real supporter because you would go to every game and see it in person).

The only glimpse you would get if your game didn't make it as one of the replay games was a few minutes of filmed vision that was usually shown during the panel discussion on World of Sport on a Sunday morning.

There was such a game that we played out at Windy Hill (late 70s/early 80s because it was in colour) when Robbie kicked the goal of the century in my estimation. My memory of it is that he took possession of the ball in the back pocket and ran and passed the ball to teammates and back all the way along the wing and into the forward line when he finally drilled the goal.

I remember it was shown on WOS but would love to see it again so if anybody has the vision or can post a link, please do. I'd like to show it to my grandchildren and to share it with the generation of Melbourne fans who were never fortunate enough to witness his greatness.

I'm also hoping that the goal does turn out to be as great as its memory is to me.

Does anyone else remember it?

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a different game and goal, but there's one ripper which was obviously a contender for goal of the week or year which is in the existing Youtube and AFL tribute videos.

It's the one against Richmond, where Robbie sharks the ball out of the centre, taps it again to himself over an opponent's head, and then slots it from what must be about 50m or even further out.

It's at 1.50 in this video: http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-03/remembering-robert-flower

NicNat did a similar thing out of the ruck in Perth a couple of years but only kicked a point, not that it stopped commentators from frothing at the mouth about how it was the point of the century.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seeing Robbie kick 5 goals in his first September Action was pretty special, 14 years of waiting and not wanting for it to end there pretty much hit the Roos like a freight train in that elimination final at the G in 1987.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back in the 1970s when Robbie started, there were usually only two games shown on television by replay on Saturday evening. With Melbourne occupying a lowly spot on the ladder, our games were rarely shown on replay (it didn't matter if you were a real supporter because you would go to every game and see it in person).

The only glimpse you would get if your game didn't make it as one of the replay games was a few minutes of filmed vision that was usually shown during the panel discussion on World of Sport on a Sunday morning.

There was such a game that we played out at Windy Hill (late 70s/early 80s because it was in colour) when Robbie kicked the goal of the century in my estimation. My memory of it is that he took possession of the ball in the back pocket and ran and passed the ball to teammates and back all the way along the wing and into the forward line when he finally drilled the goal.

I remember it was shown on WOS but would love to see it again so if anybody has the vision or can post a link, please do. I'd like to show it to my grandchildren and to share it with the generation of Melbourne fans who were never fortunate enough to witness his greatness.

I'm also hoping that the goal does turn out to be as great as its memory is to me.

Does anyone else remember it?

After a lengthy hiatus from Demonland, I felt the need to contribute to this post as it was also the greatest goal I've ever seen. I actually raised this exact goal on another forum.

It was incredible. It was along the members' wing and Robbie also baulked past a few Bombers' players, then kicked it from around 45m to the Napier St. end. Having grown up not far from Windy Hill, it's fair to say that the Bombers' members weren't known for their salutations for opposition players. But even they applauded en masse.

I can also recall the goal being shown on WOS. It was almost in sepia with fake audio.

As an aside, Robbie also took the best mark I've seen live. It was against Fitzroy at G, and there is footage of it in a highlights package of Robbie. But the footage doesn't do it justice. Robbie ran with the flight of the ball, then twisted and jumped onto the shoulder of the Fitzroy player, and plucked a one-hander. For degree of difficulty, it was better than Jeff Farmer's mark against Richmond in '98.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back in the 1970s when Robbie started, there were usually only two games shown on television by replay on Saturday evening. With Melbourne occupying a lowly spot on the ladder, our games were rarely shown on replay (it didn't matter if you were a real supporter because you would go to every game and see it in person).

The only glimpse you would get if your game didn't make it as one of the replay games was a few minutes of filmed vision that was usually shown during the panel discussion on World of Sport on a Sunday morning.

There was such a game that we played out at Windy Hill (late 70s/early 80s because it was in colour) when Robbie kicked the goal of the century in my estimation. My memory of it is that he took possession of the ball in the back pocket and ran and passed the ball to teammates and back all the way along the wing and into the forward line when he finally drilled the goal.

I remember it was shown on WOS but would love to see it again so if anybody has the vision or can post a link, please do. I'd like to show it to my grandchildren and to share it with the generation of Melbourne fans who were never fortunate enough to witness his greatness.

I'm also hoping that the goal does turn out to be as great as its memory is to me.

Does anyone else remember it?

I was there and saw it and it was not the goal of the century, it was the greatest goal ever, in the entire history of VFL/AFL football.

In the words of Huddo " I saw it but I didn't believe it".

I have never seen a goal come close.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Seeing Robbie kick 5 goals in his first September Action was pretty special, 14 years of waiting and not wanting for it to end there pretty much hit the Roos like a freight train in that elimination final at the G in 1987.

Standing in bay 13 I will always remember the roar of the crowd on the members wing during those two fabulous finals wins in 1987 at the Gee whenever Robbie got the ball and went for a run. And then the tragedy at Waverley! Oh well that is life. [censored] The Hawks!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Seeing Robbie kick 5 goals in his first September Action was pretty special, 14 years of waiting and not wanting for it to end there pretty much hit the Roos like a freight train in that elimination final at the G in 1987.

Kicked 4 the week after too when we smashed Sydney

From the wing, 9 goals in his first 2 finals

What a player

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That goal had a trivia moment in it.

The ball gets over the goal line - with our then full forward jumping up on the line.

Can anyone name the full forward

( not hard to figure out - but I had almost blocked out that he had played for us !!!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That goal had a trivia moment in it.

The ball gets over the goal line - with our then full forward jumping up on the line.

Can anyone name the full forward

( not hard to figure out - but I had almost blocked out that he had played for us !!!)

carman ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Someone on Land or Ology put together a Flower DVD about 7 years ago. there was about 30 minutes of footage on it. I can't find my copy, but I'm sure that goal was on it.

Dug mine out & had a look. That goal isn't on there. There's a bit against Essendon where he makes a couple of State players in Glenn Hawker & Daisy Williams look silly.

It's a seventeen minute Celebration of Robbie. Great stuff. Looking at that Elimination Final it's hard not to feel sorry for North's Roy Ramsay. Poor bugger never had a chance that day. Flower mopped up Mark & Goal of the day & pu on a clinic

I'm pretty sure if was Mark the pinball man (markc ?) who put it together & distributed it. I think it was a small donation to the club that secured you a copy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw the goal as well. It is the greatest goal ever.

He took on half the Essendon team and beat them all. The whole crowd including all Essendon supporters gave him a standing ovation. Never seen such an ovation for a opposition player before or since.

The goal is not on film. World on Sport had Robbie in on the next day just to discuss the goal as they (WOS) said they had no vision of it to show viewers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't have the pleasure of seeing that one live, but I remember seeing him chase a loose ball on the wing / HFF against Collingwood and he gathered it just as two Collingwood players arrived running straight at the ball (or more likely him) head on, and he spun between the two of them and left them grabbing at air, and continued on as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

I don't remember the year or even if he went on to kick the goal (although I'd like to think he did), but I do remember that the spin - that he had no right to try let alone get away with - was the closest thing to perfection I've ever seen in any sport.

Any help finding that would be appreciated.

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  

    THE BLOW by Whispering Jack

    Narrm’s finals prospects took a crushing blow after the team’s insipid performance at Optus Stadium against a confident Waaljit Marawar in the first of its Doug Nicholls Round outings for 2024.  I use the description “crushing blow” advisedly because, although the season is not yet at it’s halfway mark, the Demons have now failed abysmally in two of their games against teams currently occupying bottom eight places on the ladder.  The manner in which these losing games were played out w

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 6

    HALF FULL by KC from Casey

    It was a case of the Casey Demons going into a game with a glass half full in their match up against the Brisbane Lions at Casey Fields on Saturday. As the list of injured and unavailable AFL and VFL listed players continues to grow and with Melbourne taking all three emergencies to Perth for the weekend on a “just in case” basis, its little brother was always destined to struggle. Casey was left with only eight AFL listed players from who to select their team but only two - an out-of-form

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles

    PREGAME: Rd 11 vs St. Kilda

    The Demons return to the MCG to take on the Saints in Round 11 on the back of two straight losses in a row. With Jake Lever out with concussion who comes in and who goes out?

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 228

    PODCAST: Rd 10 vs West Coast

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 20th May @ 8:30pm. Join George, Binman & I as we dissect the Demons disaapoiting performance against the Eagles at Optus Stadium in Round 10. 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.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 43

    VOTES: Rd 10 vs West Coast

    Last week Captain Max Gawn consolidated his lead over reigning champion Christian Petracca in the Demonland Player of the Year Award. Steven May, Alex Neal-Bullen & Jake Lever make up the Top 5. Your votes for the loss against the Blues. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 37

    POSTGAME: Rd 10 vs West Coast

    Many warned that this was a danger game and the Demons were totally outclassed all game by a young Eagles team at Optus Stadium in Perth as they were defeated by 35 points.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 445

    GAMEDAY: Rd 10 vs West Coast

    It's Game Day and the Demons have returned to the site of their drought breaking Premiership to take on the West Coast Eagles in what could very well be a danger game for Narrm at Optus Stadium. A win and a percentage boost will keep the Dees in top four contention whilst a loss will cast doubt on the Dees flag credentials and bring them back to the pack fighting for a spot in the 8 as we fast approach the halfway point of the season.

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 884

    WARNING by William from Waalitj

    As a long term resident of Waalitj Marawar, I am moved to warn my fellow Narrm fans that a  danger game awaits. The locals are no longer the easybeats who stumbled, fumbled and bumbled their way to the good fortune of gathering the number one draft pick and a generational player in Harley Reid last year. They are definitely better than they were then.   Young Harley has already proven his worth with some stellar performances for a first year kid playing among men. He’s taken hangers, k

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Previews 22

    OVER YET? by KC from Casey

    The Friday evening rush hour clash of two of the VFL’s 2024 minnows, Carlton and the Casey Demons was excruciatingly painful to watch, even if it was for the most part a close encounter. I suppose that since the game had to produce a result (a tie would have done the game some justice), the four points that went to Casey with the win, were fully justified because they went to the best team. In that respect, my opinion is based on the fact that the Blues were a lopsided combination that had

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Casey Articles
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...