It was Saturday 9th June, 1973, exactly 50 years ago today that a lightly built bespectacled 17 year old Robert Flower took to the field for the Melbourne Football Club on the hallowed MCG turf for the first time. There were 19,900 spectators on hand for the game to witness the debut of a player who ranks among the club’s greats.

Melbourne beat Geelong by 58 points in a game where another youngster, Glenn Swan starred with 8 goals at full forward and John Tilbrook finished with 6 for the day. Flower booted one on his debut.

Melbourne 2.6.18 8.13.61 16.16.112 20.19.139

Geelong 3.7.25 4.9.33 6.12.48 11.15.81

Robbie went on to play 272 games and kick 315 goals before he retired at the end of 1987. His last game was that season’s preliminary final and, at the time, he was games record holder at the club. He was captain from 1981 to 1987 was Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist in 1977, twice MFC leading goalkicker, made the Melbourne Team of the Century on the Wing, made the Melbourne Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was twice All-Australian (1980, 1983). His exploits on a wing for Victoria in State of Origin matches were legendary.

His football exploits were sublime, he was a great team player, loved the club and was a champion person who passed away far too early at age 59 on 2 October, 2014.

 

It is 50 years ago today that my favourite footballer - the great Robbie Flower made his debut in the seniors for the Dees. I was there.
Melb beat Geel 
Melb 20.19.139
Geel 11.15.81
Robbie kicked 2 goals
Little did we know how great he would be...A true Champion. I loved him as all Demons did and most from other sides did also.
 

 

I was, and still are, Robbie’s biggest fan. But even I forget how good he was. Before you are allowed to join Demonland you should have to watch the collection of Flower videos. It should also be remembered that most of his best highlights were never captured as he played in a team that rarely featured in replays. 

Still the best Melbourne player I have seen

Best player I have seen.

He was the reason many turned up to the football during the 70's and 80's. 

7 minutes ago, dl4e said:

Best player I have seen.

Best player full stop 

42 minutes ago, MelbCup said:

It is 50 years ago today that my favourite footballer - the great Robbie Flower made his debut in the seniors for the Dees. I was there.
Melb beat Geel 
Melb 20.19.139
Geel 11.15.81
Robbie kicked 2 goals
Little did we know how great he would be...A true Champion. I loved him as all Demons did and most from other sides did also.
 

 

Nice but according to Demonwiki and the entry in the Football Record below, Robbie only kicked one goal on debut -

http://demonwiki.org/Round+10+1973

25 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

He was the reason many turned up to the football during the 70's and 80's. 

Often the only reason I turned up. 

44 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

It was Saturday 9th June, 1973, exactly 50 years ago today that a lightly built bespectacled 17 year old Robert Flower took to the field for the Melbourne Football Club on the hallowed MCG turf for the first time. There were 19,900 spectators on hand for the game to witness the debut of a player who ranks among the club’s greats.

Melbourne beat Geelong by 58 points in a game where another youngster, Glenn Swan starred with 8 goals at full forward and John Tilbrook finished with 6 for the day. Flower booted one on his debut.

Melbourne 2.6.18 8.13.61 16.16.112 20.19.139

Geelong 3.7.25 4.9.33 6.12.48 11.15.81

Robbie went on to play 272 games and kick 315 goals before he retired at the end of 1987. His last game was that season’s preliminary final and, at the time, he was games record holder at the club. He was captain from 1981 to 1987 was Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist in 1977, twice MFC leading goalkicker, made the Melbourne Team of the Century on the Wing, made the Melbourne Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was twice All-Australian (1980, 1983). His exploits on a wing for Victoria in State of Origin matches were legendary.

His football exploits were sublime, he was a great team player, loved the club and was a champion person who passed away far too early at age 59 on 2 October, 2014.

 

Just seeking clarification...did he actually wear the spectacles on the field in his first game? I never remember seeing him playing in spectacles. The only players I can recall who have worn spectacles while playing are Geoff Blethyn and Mason Cox. 

3 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Just seeking clarification...did he actually wear the spectacles on the field in his first game? I never remember seeing him playing in spectacles. The only players I can recall who have worn spectacles while playing are Geoff Blethyn and Mason Cox. 

I definitely recall him wearing the specs early in his career. Very early on however, he started wearing contact lenses.

32 minutes ago, YearOfTheDees said:

Often the only reason I turned up. 

Yep, my father told me that he only went to the footy during those dark days to see Robbie play. He often told me that the Brownlow was a corrupt and diminished medal the moment Dipierdomenico won it and that Robbie never saluted.

 

Never been a better Demon. 

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I definitely recall him wearing the specs early in his career. Very early on however, he started wearing contact lenses.

I was at the first game he played and I dont recall him wearing glasses on the field at any time. Happy to be corrected.

Now I do know I was there, cannot remember much,  I do know we had watched Robbie a couple of times in the twos on earlier days.  My memory is failing me...   There was also another young player around that time I think, but not on that day and I remember thinking    Flower huh  he will not be any good with such a surname, but this other guy seems tough.   Or am I remembering through beer coloured glasses.

I do remember clearly The lad coming into the Redlegs (I think)after game function, led in by his father.  Such a slight frame, how come he could play footy and I could not.  He did get quite  round of applause.  For a long time the only reason you could take pleasure  was R. Flower on the wing..

A definite reason for the Dees to go hard on Monday

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Nice but according to Demonwiki and the entry in the Football Record below

That Melbourne line-up boasted quite a lot of football talent.

Interesting to note that Tom Hawkins' father Jack and uncle Michael (who only played the two games) as well as Matthew Scarlett's father John all ran out for Geelong that day.

Robbie wore glasses at U19 level.  Not sure about reserves. He'd replaced them with contacts by the time he made his senior debut 

54 minutes ago, Go the Biff said:

Robbie wore glasses at U19 level.  Not sure about reserves. He'd replaced them with contacts by the time he made his senior debut 

My memory is that Robbie won the b & f in the Fourths in 1972 after initially being refused a clearance from Murrumbeena. He moved up the ranks pretty quickly after starting 1973 in the Under 19s, played 2 or 3 games in the Reserves. I remember him kicking 3 goals at the Western Oval against Footscray in the ressies in Round 9 and that gained him promotion to the seniors by Round 10. I think he ditched the glasses very soon after that. 

Friday Flashbacks: Robert Flower by Lynda Carroll on Aug 30, 2013

“Dream come true – Robert Flower was – and is - a Melbourne supporter, who played for Melbourne, and is highly regarded to this day.   He was still at school when he made his senior debut, a skinny kid with glasses who thought it was all ‘surreal, unbelievable to be realising a dream.’  With that first game against Geelong at the MCG in Round 10, 1973 – a win, Flower kicked a goal – he was on the way to seeing the dream come to fruition.”

Im not sure that Lynda's story is conclusive that wore the glasses on the field.

I just dont remember him with glasses on while playing in the seniors. 

Pound for pound the best footballer who has ever put on the jumper full stop.

3 hours ago, dl4e said:

Best player I have seen.

And yet less than 800 people turned up to his public memorial service at the MCG almost 10 years ago. So sad for the best, most graceful and most loyal Demon ever

3 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

It was Saturday 9th June, 1973, exactly 50 years ago today that a lightly built bespectacled 17 year old Robert Flower took to the field for the Melbourne Football Club on the hallowed MCG turf for the first time. There were 19,900 spectators on hand for the game to witness the debut of a player who ranks among the club’s greats.

Melbourne beat Geelong by 58 points in a game where another youngster, Glenn Swan starred with 8 goals at full forward and John Tilbrook finished with 6 for the day. Flower booted one on his debut.

Melbourne 2.6.18 8.13.61 16.16.112 20.19.139

Geelong 3.7.25 4.9.33 6.12.48 11.15.81

Robbie went on to play 272 games and kick 315 goals before he retired at the end of 1987. His last game was that season’s preliminary final and, at the time, he was games record holder at the club. He was captain from 1981 to 1987 was Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist in 1977, twice MFC leading goalkicker, made the Melbourne Team of the Century on the Wing, made the Melbourne Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was twice All-Australian (1980, 1983). His exploits on a wing for Victoria in State of Origin matches were legendary.

His football exploits were sublime, he was a great team player, loved the club and was a champion person who passed away far too early at age 59 on 2 October, 2014.

 

Gulp! Sniffle. Sniffle. What other footballer could invoke such emotions? 

3 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

It was Saturday 9th June, 1973, exactly 50 years ago today that a lightly built bespectacled 17 year old Robert Flower took to the field for the Melbourne Football Club on the hallowed MCG turf for the first time. There were 19,900 spectators on hand for the game to witness the debut of a player who ranks among the club’s greats.

Melbourne beat Geelong by 58 points in a game where another youngster, Glenn Swan starred with 8 goals at full forward and John Tilbrook finished with 6 for the day. Flower booted one on his debut.

Melbourne 2.6.18 8.13.61 16.16.112 20.19.139

Geelong 3.7.25 4.9.33 6.12.48 11.15.81

Robbie went on to play 272 games and kick 315 goals before he retired at the end of 1987. His last game was that season’s preliminary final and, at the time, he was games record holder at the club. He was captain from 1981 to 1987 was Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Medallist in 1977, twice MFC leading goalkicker, made the Melbourne Team of the Century on the Wing, made the Melbourne Hall of Fame and the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was twice All-Australian (1980, 1983). His exploits on a wing for Victoria in State of Origin matches were legendary.

His football exploits were sublime, he was a great team player, loved the club and was a champion person who passed away far too early at age 59 on 2 October, 2014.

 

Whispering Jack, Thank you for this, I will let his brothers and other family know about this fitting tribute on Demonland

EXCELLENT WORK

Regards P.F😁

Would have loved to have caught some more of his career. 

Still so grateful, thanks Tulip. 

Agree with all these comments. 

My son was a friend of his daughter. Went to his house/met him. Jealous.

1 hour ago, 640MD said:

Now I do know I was there, cannot remember much,  I do know we had watched Robbie a couple of times in the twos on earlier days.  My memory is failing me...   There was also another young player around that time I think, but not on that day and I remember thinking    Flower huh  he will not be any good with such a surname, but this other guy seems tough.   Or am I remembering through beer coloured glasses.

I do remember clearly The lad coming into the Redlegs (I think)after game function, led in by his father.  Such a slight frame, how come he could play footy and I could not.  He did get quite  round of applause.  For a long time the only reason you could take pleasure  was R. Flower on the wing..

A definite reason for the Dees to go hard on Monday

Another kid made his debut that day on the other wing,shane Fitzsimons i could be wrong but i hope not