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Rob Flower 6 years ago today

picket fence
picket fence
in Melbourne Demons

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Posted

Passed away tragically and unexpectedly. He would have been 65 Today.

For those who haven't seen it I posted my Ode to a great player and even better Bloke 6 years ago !! RIP Mate PF

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 "Snapper" 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 experience I 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, self effacing, 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

 

 

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    How do you paint a picture to the young ones of the grace of Robbie Flower and what he meant to us on those long ago,  cold winters days at the MGG, with a crowd of around 20,000 and defeat a near certainty. To watch R Flower as the Bromlow announcers called him,  rise for a mark or gather the ball and then dance a merry one around superior teams, but not superior individual players was something I will never forget. A few days ago a friend was talking Gary Dempsey, like Flower he was always at his best in State games and we were proud to show him off. What a player. I have never been as certain of a players ability with ball in hand as I was when Robbie went to work.

    Edited by Half forward flank

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    Great words fellers.

    One of the great tragedies is that some of the magic he wove on the field was never recorded because not all games were on TV back then. I recall some incredible weaves & runs in the late 70's but alas no cameras were at the ground.

     

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    And who will forget his words to Michael Tuck at the death  before that Buckenara kick in  87. "Good luck but I hope it is us". What a time. 

    Edited by Half forward flank

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    The joys of a melbourne winter. Watching robbie from bay 17.

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    Yep loved Robert.Stuck with the Dees through tough times.The only “good thing” about his death was Paul Kelly singing at his wake at the MCG : How to make gravy.

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    Robert 2 Flower

    Just watch all the clips on YouTube 

    Edited by Sir Why You Little

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    My all time fav demon player ever?

    I was very lucky to meet Robbie one family day, will always have that moment with me?

    We miss you Robbie.

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      On 02/10/2020 at 10:02, deebug said:

    My all time fav demon player ever?

    I was very lucky to meet Robbie one family day, will always have that moment with me?

    We miss you Robbie.

    Because of him I went from a supporter to a 42 year member. Still my favourite ever - I don't think that will ever change. A true artist of the game

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      On 02/10/2020 at 06:13, picket fence said:

    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 "Snapper" 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.

    I'll never forget spending an hour or so with the Legend himself in exactly these circumstances about 15 years ago

    I told him my dad used to take me to see him play, he remembered my dad and wanted to know all about how he was doing...

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    I'm jealous of my son. He was a friend of his daughter and got to meet the great man .... at his house.

    As to favourite players ... there's Robbie ... then daylight. 

    RIP great man.

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      On 02/10/2020 at 10:57, Crystal Dees said:

    Because of him I went from a supporter to a 42 year member. Still my favourite ever - I don't think that will ever change. A true artist of the game

    Same, he was an amazing VFL/AFL player.?

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    My moniker says it all. He was ...... magic. 

    My profile pic is from his book. I was there, another cold day at Princes Park, Robbie in his trademark long sleeves, floating over Jezza to mark. 

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    Posted before, but in the early 80s we had a rare win at the Cattery in the “Templeton Game”. 
    l lived nearby his Knox City sports shop and went  in happy during the week. 
    All he wanted to know was, were the supporters happy, when did the supporters think we had it, and how did the supporters think we went. 

    RIP #2

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