How good was Robbie Flower!

[Ash35 425]

Great efforts fella's, the DVD is just great. What a player. The more I look at Robbie the more I think he's in the Hird mould but just a little better (sorry Ash)!!

Don't apologise Fan. Both Flower and Hird are out and out champions. I think that anyone who loves AFL football, no matter what team you support, should feel pretty lucky to have witnessed these two legends play over the last 25 odd years.

Perhaps my next project could be a combined DVD of Flower and Hird.

[old55 23,687]

Don't apologise Fan. Both Flower and Hird are out and out champions. I think that anyone who loves AFL football, no matter what team you support, should feel pretty lucky to have witnessed these two legends play over the last 25 odd years.

Perhaps my next project could be a combined DVD of Flower and Hird.

Thanks to Ash30 and Mark, the DVD is fantastic.

For all his great attributes one thing that stood out is that Flower was amazingly strong overhead and retained this ability right through his career. When Steven Febey started he was a strong mark (nothing like Robbie) but from about 3-4 years into his career he never took any overhead marks at all.

The other thing is that it is hard to tell on the tape which is Robbie's preferred foot - outstanding on both sides.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

The other thing is that it is hard to tell on the tape which is Robbie's preferred foot - outstanding on both sides.

He always seemed to bounce the ball left handed so I guess that that may have been his natural side.

[Slartibartfast 17,625]

Perhaps my next project could be a combined DVD of Flower and Hird.

Now that would be a really interesting comparison!! But you're right Ash, we have been lucky.

I always get amazed at people who want to sledge players like Buckley and Hird. Says more about them really.

I just hope there is one player on the MFC list that can come close to one of these players.

Oh, and Ash, don't forget to keep taping "From the Vault" and adding to the highlight package!!

Old, Flower was a great mark, but the thing that I always remember is that nobody could touch him. He could dodge and weave like no other. He lost a lot of this ability from the middle 80's onward when a lot of the highlights come from so the focus is on marking. But my enduring memory will be the way he could win the contested ball and avoid tackles, find space and do something with the pill.

[Ash35 425]

Oh, and Ash, don't forget to keep taping "From the Vault" and adding to the highlight package!!

Yes, that's a very good source for Flower highlights. Especially this time of year, they seem to churn out plenty of the old stuff. Actually, since I put the DVD together, I've picked up another couple Robbie moments.

That's why I'm waiting until Hird retires before I start to construct his highlights package.

[markc 975]

hi all

sorry have been busy and had a few family matters to sort out. My guy who is doing the dvds is away till early next week and I will drive over and pick them up then. I will post back on here once I have them.

again Sorry about the delay other matters have come up

mark

[old55 23,687]

Old, Flower was a great mark, but the thing that I always remember is that nobody could touch him. He could dodge and weave like no other. He lost a lot of this ability from the middle 80's onward when a lot of the highlights come from so the focus is on marking. But my enduring memory will be the way he could win the contested ball and avoid tackles, find space and do something with the pill.

That's very true and on show in the reel. A couple of times he works space on the boundary line where there just was none. I think he hypnotised the opposition. Robert Harvey is another that has had a similar ability. Another great player he could be favourably compared with is Peter Daicos.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

A couple of times he works space on the boundary line where there just was none. I think he hypnotised the opposition.

It seemed that players were unable to work out which way to tackle Robbie because he was extremely proficient with either hand or foot, unlike some you couldn’t force him on to his wrong side. He didn’t have one.

[Demonator 93]

Hey all,

being in my early 20's i have little recollection of the great Robbie Flower other than a faint memory of him single-handedly bringing us back from the dead against the doggies to make the finals.

How good was he? is there some sort of equivalent to a player that is playing these days?

Was he a genuine superstar of the competition back then like your Hird,Voss & Buckleys?

Anyone got any stories about great games he played or great goals?

Best player never to win a Brownlow - full stop!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Best player never to win a Brownlow - full stop!

While I have a soft spot for Robert Flower, I think Leigh Matthews has been widely judged with that title. There was one year in the 1970s where he won every VFL football award and was unbackable for the Borwnlow. Fickle thing, it was the only award he did not poll tops in. And when you look at the AFL Team of the Century there was some players with equal if not better claims that Flower.

Players bolded won at least one Brownlow. I still think he was better than Keith Greig! IMO opinion, SOS, Doull, EJ at his peak, Hart, Jezza, Polly, RDB and Ablett all give Flower a real run for his money. I would even add Wayne Carey to the list

AFL Team of the Century

B: Bernie Smith, (Geelong) , Stephen Silvagni, (Carlton), John Nicholls, (Carlton).

HB: Bruce Doull, (Carlton), Ted Whitten, (Footscray), Kevin Murray, (Fitzroy).

C: Keith Greig, (North Melbourne), Ian Stewart, (St Kilda, Richmond), Francis Bourke, (Richmond).

HF: Alex Jesaulenko, (Carlton, St Kilda), Royce Hart, (Richmond), [censored] Reynolds, (Essendon).

F: Leigh Matthews, (Hawthorn), John Coleman, (Essendon), Haydn Bunton, (Fitzroy).

Followers: Graham Farmer (Geelong), Ron Barassi (Melbourne, Carlton)

Rover: Bob Skilton (South Melbourne),

Interchange: Gary Ablett (Hawthorn, Geelong), Jack Dyer (Richmond), Greg Williams (Geelong, Sydney, Carlton)

Great stuff Richard Reynolds had his first name censored! Finks must be in a bad mood!

[Hannabal 4]

Greig is overrated. One of my great disappointments in life is that Flower wasn't named on the wing in the TOTC.

The legacy of playing in a [censored] team.

And as many of us know, he shone when paired with the best in State games.

It's also harder to dominate in a crap side - which Robbie did.

A true 'star' of the game, not just our club.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Totally Agree Trav.

Greig was a very good footballer in a very good team that enjoy unprecedented exposure following the appointment of Barassi as Coach and the attraction of then star players like Wade, Davis and Rantall.

Flower was buried away in some truly ordinary (read pathetic) MFC sides and then as I do now I always thought Flower was the better player at their respective peaks and over the course of their careers.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Greig had a wealth of talented players feeding the ball to him, Robbie had practically none, Greig had a wealth of talented players to pass the ball off too and Robbie had to kick it to himself.

Bobby Skilton is a player that rarely gets mentioned nowadays but for courage and skill there weren’t many better, like Skilton, Robbie had to get his own ball and then work out which was the best, worst option to kick/handball it to.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Bob Skilton was named in the Team of the Century as first rover (30 years after he retired) so he is hardly forgotten.

With three brownlows he was highly decorated and deservedly so.

I do not believe Flower received then or now the accolades that he undoubtedly deserved from a long and high quality career in some truly woeful sides.

[Slartibartfast 17,625]

Greig is overrated. One of my great disappointments in life is that Flower wasn't named on the wing in the TOTC.

Agreed. Whenever they played on eachother Robbie was the clear winner. I doubt even Greig would argue his case over Robbie.

In one respect we are lucky. We are the few that recognise and appreciate his genius. At least that cannot be taken away from us.

[Damo 3,374]

Agreed. Whenever they played on eachother Robbie was the clear winner. I doubt even Greig would argue his case over Robbie.

In one respect we are lucky. We are the few that recognise and appreciate his genius. At least that cannot be taken away from us.

Actually Barrassi used to state that Schimma was the better player of the two as wingmen.

I fully respect Schimma especially as his business life was decimated by North and its then President.

He never complained to the press. Maybe because of this and his closer association with RDB and his

fantastic career Ron made such a sweeping statement.

I saw Schimma as a great captain and he certainly won many games off his own boot.

Super courageous as well.

Not as good as Robert Flower.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I tend to recall Schimma spending the greater part of his career in the midfield than Grieg did.

I thought Greig dropped back to the HBF in his later years. Interesting stat that in 294 AFL/VFL games, Grieg only kicked 48 goals.

A suprisingly low figure for some one fettered as the best wingman in the past century.

[Damo 3,374]

I tend to recall Schimma spending the greater part of his career in the midfield than Grieg did.

I thought Greig dropped back to the HBF in his later years. Interesting stat that in 294 AFL/VFL games, Grieg only kicked 48 goals.

A suprisingly low figure for some one fettered as the best wingman in the past century.

My recollection is that you are right, Running Russell.

I was disappointed with Rons' statement which is one reason I remember it so clearly.

I believe it was on the occasion of Schimma's 300th but may have been another illustious celebration.

Having been in the IT industry for a while, I followed Schimma's career and was well aware what he was giving up to become a full-time coach. Neale Daniher and he had shining Computer Programming/ management backgrounds.

As history shows two of todays coaches colluded to shaft him(not btw ND).

Whether he deserved it or not, he wasnt paid out for that current year. Nowadays this would not happen.

He was shamed into resigning by a man he loved and admired.

Thus started cleaning floors to support his large family.

Dont know why he didnt at least resume programming. maybe he hated it. I did.

[Hannabal 4]

Actually Barrassi used to state that Schimma was the better player of the two as wingmen.

Schimma played with a dogged determination not dissimilar to Paul Kelly, but he had more skill. Whilst a fine and enduring player he lacked the brilliance of Flower.

Barrassi played in a similar vain to Schimma and Kelly, hence imo, his bias.

[markc 975]

ok finally go the dvds. I will be back at work on Monday and they can be picked up from then. Or I will get them posted .

Everyone will have to laugh at the disc as this person who made them for me isnt a football follower so Robert Flower played for the

Melbourne Deamons......... i cant complain for what he charged me and suppose there is no copyright LOL anyways they all be at

ABC/Network Video 21 Church st Brighton 03 9592 8898 ask for Mark

also if i have your address they will be sent out this week

[markc 975]

DONE all dvds are here at my shop

abc/network Video

21 church st

Brighton

03 9592 8898

open 10 am 10 pm everyday

People how have asked for them to be posted will be done this week

thanks

mark

[John Dee 445]

I have been waiting for the boys to be training at TBO so that I can combine a trip to your shop with lunch whilst watching them train. I don't know whether that is going to happen sonn.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

Anyone please, any chance of getting the DVD streamed through the net??

[Hannabal 4]

A very big thankyou to Marc and particularly Ash for enabling me to re-live many of my fondest memories.

I was priviliged enough to see nearly all of Flower's career, and to be able to reminisce is such a great pleasure.

The greatest wingman of all time, the greatest goal kicking wingman of all time, and I've no hesitation in saying the greatest marking midfielder of all time.

And to think so little of his finest moments were captured on tv.

[markc 975]

just a quick reply all dvds that people have asked to be posted will be sent this weekend

and I still have a few here if anyone else wants 1

thanks

mark 03 9592 8898

Abc/network Video

21 church st

Brighton