Robert Flower - Demon Legend

[forever demons 2,220]

was at that game ,you could get into the rooms in those days he was so thin compared to the rest of them.pretty sure that was shane fitzsimmons first game as well ,only 16 and 17 years old

[forever demons 2,220]

10 hours ago, bush demon said:

Players like Flower would have been umpired out of the game in the modern era. Players are routinely impeded before and after they take possession of the ball, and ball-carriers are routinely 'tackled' by the player grasping the player's hand or falling into his back with one or both hands over the shoulder or across the face. 

he was that good he would have found a way,but you are right todays tactics are so negative there are so many champs from the past whoo made the game great to watch would not get a go today skilton,grieg,etc

[forever demons 2,220]

10 hours ago, bush demon said:

Players like Flower would have been umpired out of the game in the modern era. Players are routinely impeded before and after they take possession of the ball, and ball-carriers are routinely 'tackled' by the player grasping the player's hand or falling into his back with one or both hands over the shoulder or across the face. 

he was that good he would have found a way,but you are right todays tactics are so negative there are so many champs from the past whoo made the game great to watch would not get a go today skilton,grieg,etc

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,249]

❤️

[tilly18 289]

42 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I have asked ex players from different clubs the same thing. Nobody has a clue why. Robbie always played well....

For some strange reason he only won 1 MFC best and fairest

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

35 minutes ago, tilly18 said:

For some strange reason he only won 1 MFC best and fairest

Once again. Very strange yes. He was so much better than any of his team mates 95% of the time

[picket fence 17,172]

Thanks to all that have posted on this memorable occasion! 

Hnmm nearly 4 years gone !! Still think of him, he was a sensational footballer, but I have to say, a more sensational person in life you could never find!  as many have alluded to on this site. As a mate of his I posted some days later  4 years ago my thoughts . Happy to share on Demonland! again,

Rob loved days like today.

He probably would have thought it a tad hot for footy, but would have played and dominated, anyway.

His greatest pastime on days like to day would be cooking a BBQ for family and friends, playing golf, or on his boat catching a few "Flatties" and maybe the odd "Schnapper" in Port Phillip bay, or just shooting the breeze on his sundeck at Sorrento.

Rob was at his happiest when you were happy, it seemed as if by some magical formula he had the "knack" of making you feel as if you were the most important person at that moment he was speaking to you. He loved his family and he loved and valued his friends!

Charismatic people have this gift. Some use it for gain, and power, Rob used his charisma because he was genuinely interested in you and your family.

Yes Rob was a "Superstar" footballer Bernie Quinlan so rightly said yesterday.

But Above and Beyond he was a "Mega Superstar" person! Is this not a better, more substantially satisfying legacy to leave?

In private life he was a generous with his time and expertise, as he appeared in public life.

I have seen and been lucky enough to witness the way he gently and compassionately met people who at the conclusion of an interaction walked away much happier for the experience. Floating on air is as real as an experienceI have seen and been a part of, and just as euphoric! Just ask any who met him and knew him. I count myself extremely lucky and enriched by knowing him as a friend and mentor! The Euphoria stayed with you and lingered on and on.

Over the 35 odd years I have known the man, I have been extremely fortunate to have been welcomed into part of the fabric of his life.

He had many "Brothers" in arms and his own two brothers, Tom and Jim must have thought that they had won tattslotto every day of their lives having him as a brother.

I can tell you he felt the same way about them!

A more gentle, humble, empathic, generous, selfeffacing, humorous, genuine person you could not find than Rob Flower.

I was at his funeral yesterday, and I will be at his public funeral tomorrow.

Each time I look up at the sky on a clear night I will seek out the brightest star. If all stars represent great people, then Rob's star will surely be the brightest!

With more people like Rob Flower in the world, it would be a more sensational place to be!

Vale Rob Flower, a shining light in my life, never forgotten, always remembered

"No Regrets"

Thanks mate

 

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

Onya Picket

[4_Kent_Watts 889]

Not sure how many Radio stations were allocated to the footy in those times but the one thing that reminds me of those days was, 3KZ izzzzzzz football. Thinking of ya Rob.

Edited June 10, 2018 by 4_Kent_Watts
Spelling change

[Diamond_Jim 12,591]

1 hour ago, 4_Kent_Watts said:

Not sure how many Radio stations were allocated to the footy in those times but the one thing that reminds me of those days was, 3KZ izzzzzzz football. Thinking of ya Rob.

And of course if you were "fortunate" enough to have your game broadcast on 3UZ you could be sure that just as Robbie was swinging it onto his boot you would cross to the fourth race at Rosehill. Mind you listening interstate on grandstand match of the day on ABC radio was little better,

Robbie bled red and blue but he probably would have been an even better player at  a stronger club. This is evidenced by his often incredible performances for the Big V in State of Origin games. We were very lucky to have had such a player.

If and when we win a flag I hope we see RDB holding up the cup in the aftermath. What sadness that Number 2 is not with us to do the same.

Edited June 10, 2018 by Diamond_Jim

[Whispering_Jack 30,193]

14 hours ago, picket fence said:

Thanks to all that have posted on this memorable occasion! 

He had many "Brothers" in arms and his own two brothers, Tom and Jim must have thought that they had won tattslotto every day of their lives having him as a brother.

I opened my law office in Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena in April 1974 and the first visitor I had on my first day was Jim Flower who was randomly collecting money from local businesses for the local football club. I gave a donation mainly because of the fact that he was Robbie’s brother but it meant that on day one, my practice was making a net loss of $5.00 (it was worth more than that in those days). The next day somebody came in who was a supporter of the club and asked me to act for him on his house purchase. It was my first new file. That’s how things worked in those days. The Flowers were a fantastic family - great people.

[hemingway 7,627]

4 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I opened my law office in Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena in April 1974 and the first visitor I had on my first day was Jim Flower who was randomly collecting money from local businesses for the local football club. I gave a donation mainly because of the fact that he was Robbie’s brother but it meant that on day one, my practice was making a net loss of $5.00 (it was worth more than that in those days). The next day somebody came in who was a supporter of the club and asked me to act for him on his house purchase. It was my first new file. That’s how things worked in those days. The Flowers were a fantastic family - great people.

Nice story. 

He was something special to all those you knew him but also for all those who knew him vicariously. 

Every time I watch the old footage, I watch with wonder and almost disbelief at his skills and unique style, never to be repeated. How did he do it? You know what I mean, the sidestep, the swivel, the timing, the grace, his stride gazelle like, his whole physical movement seemingly suspended in time.  

Like Ballet, a Rudolph Nureyev of the football world. 

 All those one-sided players should study and watch his equipoised balance, delivery of both feet and long graceful handball from either hand. 

And such a beautiful human being. 

[DV8 2,271]

21 hours ago, forever demons said:

he was that good he would have found a way,but you are right todays tactics are so negative there are so many champs from the past whoo made the game great to watch would not get a go today skilton,grieg,etc

And that is IMO, what is making the talent spread so thinly, across the AFL.

 

So many who are highly skilled, talented, but those skill-sets need the space to be performed at the highest standard.   Most do not make it through to last in AFL, simply because of the lack of open space to work with.

Also why so many basketbalers are making it in AFL, at the moment.  inside players.

Edited June 11, 2018 by DV8

[DV8 2,271]

21 hours ago, tilly18 said:

For some strange reason he only won 1 MFC best and fairest

He was so consistent it was just expected of him, IMO.

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

12 hours ago, 4_Kent_Watts said:

Not sure how many Radio stations were allocated to the footy in those times but the one thing that reminds me of those days was, 3KZ izzzzzzz football. Thinking of ya Rob.

Canberra TV

878 8888

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,799]

On 6/10/2018 at 12:57 PM, Redleg said:

Our 2 greatest players. Still sadly miss Robbie.

And quite rightly, not one poster after this post has disagreed that Barassi and Flower have been our two best ever. But who is the club's third best player? Is there an obvious choice? Maybe Norm Smith? I'm interested in people's opinions here. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

25 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

And quite rightly, not one poster after this post has disagreed that Barassi and Flower have been our two best ever. But who is the club's third best player? Is there an obvious choice? Maybe Norm Smith? I'm interested in people's opinions here. 

F.Bluey. Adams

[hemingway 7,627]

38 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

And quite rightly, not one poster after this post has disagreed that Barassi and Flower have been our two best ever. But who is the club's third best player? Is there an obvious choice? Maybe Norm Smith? I'm interested in people's opinions here. 

Even if you are judging players from the post war years, it is very difficult to come with our third best. 

I agree with Barassi and Flower. 

However, we had so many great players during the 50s and 60s and such great teams. During this period, we always scored poorly in the Brownlow counts because we had so many great players.  The Brownlow votes (exc Don Cordner) were always split. 

There ares some names that stand out.

Fanning (he kicked 18 goals against the Saints in 1947), Mueller, Smith, Spencer, Ridley, Don and Denis Cordner, Williams, Dixon, Adams, Mann, and so on. Many who watched footy during this era think that Stuart Spencer would have become one of the legends of the game if he had not gone to Tasmania in the middle of his career when he was at his peak. Norm Smith was by all counts a remarkably gifted player and great team man. It is felt that he would have kicked many more goals from full forward if he had not been so unselfish and not acted as a decoy for others like Mueller. 

However, if you look at possession numbers, impact on the game, consistency, longevity, premierships played and won, it would be hard to go pass Bluey Adams or Brian Dixon. 

Bluey with his pace was sensational. In todays game, he would be called a line breaker.  Bluey running down the wing, bouncing the ball was a sight to behold. He was a team lifter, who could punt or drop kick a goal after a 20 to 30 metre run

Dixon was also incredible. Rain, hail or shine he was always the highest possession winner. Long arms, sticky fingers, and an ability to get the ball to foot when under pressure or in packs. Like a magician, he always came  up with the ball despite the heavy treatment he got from the opposition.  True, he was a shocking kick and could only kick left foot, but he had a huge impact on the game and the teams fortunes every week.

So in a line ball decision, I would go for Brian Dixon over Bluey Adams.   

[Redleg 40,938]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

And quite rightly, not one poster after this post has disagreed that Barassi and Flower have been our two best ever. But who is the club's third best player? Is there an obvious choice? Maybe Norm Smith? I'm interested in people's opinions here. 

Maybe Neita, who holds just about every record at the club.

[Demonised 1,354]

For those with a historical perspective, we do have a Demon double Brownlow medallist - the extraordinary Ivor Warne-Smith. Surely he'd have a hand on third place.

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

Jack Mueller

[Deemania since 56 6,650]

On 6/10/2018 at 3:31 PM, Sir Why You Little said:

I have asked ex players from different clubs the same thing. Nobody has a clue why. Robbie always played well....

Robbie was the best footballer, ever. Complete package and too subtle for the razzamataz.

[Deeoldfart 8,033]

Everlasting memories, teary eyes, beautiful  thread.  Thanks all.

[Deemania since 56 6,650]

20 hours ago, hemingway said:

Even if you are judging players from the post war years, it is very difficult to come with our third best. 

I agree with Barassi and Flower. 

However, we had so many great players during the 50s and 60s and such great teams. During this period, we always scored poorly in the Brownlow counts because we had so many great players.  The Brownlow votes (exc Don Cordner) were always split. 

There ares some names that stand out.

Fanning (he kicked 18 goals against the Saints in 1947), Mueller, Smith, Spencer, Ridley, Don and Denis Cordner, Williams, Dixon, Adams, Mann, and so on. Many who watched footy during this era think that Stuart Spencer would have become one of the legends of the game if he had not gone to Tasmania in the middle of his career when he was at his peak. Norm Smith was by all counts a remarkably gifted player and great team man. It is felt that he would have kicked many more goals from full forward if he had not been so unselfish and not acted as a decoy for others like Mueller. 

However, if you look at possession numbers, impact on the game, consistency, longevity, premierships played and won, it would be hard to go pass Bluey Adams or Brian Dixon. 

Bluey with his pace was sensational. In todays game, he would be called a line breaker.  Bluey running down the wing, bouncing the ball was a sight to behold. He was a team lifter, who could punt or drop kick a goal after a 20 to 30 metre run

Dixon was also incredible. Rain, hail or shine he was always the highest possession winner. Long arms, sticky fingers, and an ability to get the ball to foot when under pressure or in packs. Like a magician, he always came  up with the ball despite the heavy treatment he got from the opposition.  True, he was a shocking kick and could only kick left foot, but he had a huge impact on the game and the teams fortunes every week.

So in a line ball decision, I would go for Brian Dixon over Bluey Adams.   

Agreed with the extraordinary talents of Adams and Dixon. Great at impacting games, turning the team's fortunes around and providing some team-wide opportunities. Reliability, plus! My more recent thoughts (for third best) roam far and wide. Neitz and the Ox come to mind but I feel that the Ox was the better of the two (severed by crippling injury, admittedly).Then I think of Greg Wells, Ross Dillon, Jakovich, Alves and so the list of 'nearly' the best actually continues ... So, I guess it is too hard to quantify and qualify with so many great players in contention after 1. Flower, 2. Barassi, 3. ? Just maybe : The Ox.

[deebug 1,754]

Brian Dixon, came and said hello to my friends and i at one of the B&F a few years back, we were like kids on Christmas day.