Robbie and the run to the finals

[Flower Magic 774]

What has the late great Robert Flower to do with our current position? This article appeared on Facebook today, clearly written by a Dees fan. I have to agree with every word, but the article reminded me of the events of 1987. To round 17 that season, we had won just six games. Six wins, not ten as we have now, yet we didn't just make the finals, we then won six in a row through to round 22, then won two finals by a combined 186 points and very nearly made the Grand Final (which many believe we would have won). 

So here we are again, six rounds to go and a Robbie doppelgänger playing on a wing for us (could this be an omen?). If you believe that history can and does repeat, let's believe that we can still go deep into September as many of our competitors are faltering around us, just as in 1987.

.................

Robbie Flower - Everyone loved Robbie. 272 Games 315 goals. 2 time All Australian. Melbourne captain 81-87. One of the great wingers of all time.

Robbie had the respect of many opposition fans, in the 80’s this was unique but the way Robbie went about it it was hard to dislike him. 

Few had the elegance and classy skills like Robbie, he was clean by hand and foot but also was strong in the one on one battles on the wing. He played at just 67KG. 

Robbie made his debut at Melbourne in 1973 and amazingly was given #2 in his first year, a number he would wear for the rest of his career. 

There’s no escaping the fact Melbourne were a struggling team in this time and Robbie won 6 of his first 31 games, but was a shining light. 

1975 was somewhat of a breakout year for Robbie with the Dees winning 8 games and Robbie playing some great games including 28 disposals and 2 goals in round 2. 

In 76 Robbie averaged just on 20 disposals a game as the Dees went on to win 11 games and miss out on the finals by half a game. 

The Dees struggled in 77,78,79 Robbie had consistent years and in 79 he kicked 33 goals from the wing and in 77 won the Melbourne best and fairest. 

1980 was arguably Robbie’s best individually. 

He averaged 22 disposals a game was named all Australian and kicked 21 goals. 

In 81 Robbie had a injury interrupted season 

In 83 Robbie was all Australian once again and kicked 40 goals. 

Robbie’s ability to outrun his opponent meant he was dangerous to get into good positions in front of goal. He was an extremely fast and intelligent player.

1987 rolled around and Robbie was yet to play a final. Entering 1987 on 252 games things were not looking good for the Dees early in the season. They had only won only 6 games to round 17 before going on a 6 game winning streak and snuck into the top 5 and to make the finals. 

They smashed north by 110 points in the elimination final then beat Sydney by 76 points before coming up against hawthorn. The Dees lead by 3 goals at 3QT before the hawks came back and Bucky kicked a goal after the siren to give hawthorn the win.

It would be Robbie’s last game. He got to play finals but many have no doubt that Melbourne would have beaten Carlton in 87 if they went through.

Robbie retired and went on to be a passionate fan of the club, he was inducted into the AFL hall of fame in 1996 and was named on the wing in Melbourne’s team of the century. 

Sadly Robbie passed away at just 59 after a brief illness. Paul Kelly played at Robbie’s funeral playing his favourite song called how to make gravy. 

The memories will live on forever and some will never forget everyone cheering on the Dees in 87 hoping Robbie would go out a premiership player.

Thank you for all you gave to footy Robbie.

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 4,575]

Appreciate the memories @Flower Magic. Perchance, from your Nom De 'Land, you have a special attachment?

You probably won't get far here linking 2024 to 1987, but, hey, any excuse to remember, red-and-blue-ly, goes well here anyway.

[Winners at last 5,062]

5 hours ago, Flower Magic said:

 

What has the late great Robert Flower to do with our current position? This article appeared on Facebook today, clearly written by a Dees fan. I have to agree with every word, but the article reminded me of the events of 1987. To round 17 that season, we had won just six games. Six wins, not ten as we have now, yet we didn't just make the finals, we then won six in a row through to round 22, then won two finals by a combined 186 points and very nearly made the Grand Final (which many believe we would have won). 

So here we are again, six rounds to go and a Robbie doppelgänger playing on a wing for us (could this be an omen?). If you believe that history can and does repeat, let's believe that we can still go deep into September as many of our competitors are faltering around us, just as in 1987.

.................

Robbie Flower - Everyone loved Robbie. 272 Games 315 goals. 2 time All Australian. Melbourne captain 81-87. One of the great wingers of all time.

Robbie had the respect of many opposition fans, in the 80’s this was unique but the way Robbie went about it it was hard to dislike him. 

Few had the elegance and classy skills like Robbie, he was clean by hand and foot but also was strong in the one on one battles on the wing. He played at just 67KG. 

Robbie made his debut at Melbourne in 1973 and amazingly was given #2 in his first year, a number he would wear for the rest of his career. 

There’s no escaping the fact Melbourne were a struggling team in this time and Robbie won 6 of his first 31 games, but was a shining light. 

1975 was somewhat of a breakout year for Robbie with the Dees winning 8 games and Robbie playing some great games including 28 disposals and 2 goals in round 2. 

In 76 Robbie averaged just on 20 disposals a game as the Dees went on to win 11 games and miss out on the finals by half a game. 

The Dees struggled in 77,78,79 Robbie had consistent years and in 79 he kicked 33 goals from the wing and in 77 won the Melbourne best and fairest. 

1980 was arguably Robbie’s best individually. 

He averaged 22 disposals a game was named all Australian and kicked 21 goals. 

In 81 Robbie had a injury interrupted season 

In 83 Robbie was all Australian once again and kicked 40 goals. 

Robbie’s ability to outrun his opponent meant he was dangerous to get into good positions in front of goal. He was an extremely fast and intelligent player.

1987 rolled around and Robbie was yet to play a final. Entering 1987 on 252 games things were not looking good for the Dees early in the season. They had only won only 6 games to round 17 before going on a 6 game winning streak and snuck into the top 5 and to make the finals. 

They smashed north by 110 points in the elimination final then beat Sydney by 76 points before coming up against hawthorn. The Dees lead by 3 goals at 3QT before the hawks came back and Bucky kicked a goal after the siren to give hawthorn the win.

It would be Robbie’s last game. He got to play finals but many have no doubt that Melbourne would have beaten Carlton in 87 if they went through.

Robbie retired and went on to be a passionate fan of the club, he was inducted into the AFL hall of fame in 1996 and was named on the wing in Melbourne’s team of the century. 

Sadly Robbie passed away at just 59 after a brief illness. Paul Kelly played at Robbie’s funeral playing his favourite song called how to make gravy. 

The memories will live on forever and some will never forget everyone cheering on the Dees in 87 hoping Robbie would go out a premiership player.

Thank you for all you gave to footy Robbie.

Good read. Everyone loved Robbie. My favourite player .... by a huge margin.

I don't however agree that had Melbourne won the 1987 PF, we would have gone on to beat Carlton the following week. We were totally banged up, and would have suffered the same fate as Hawthorn in the GF.

 

[Sir Why You Little 36,235]

Robbie and Brian Wilson both had broken collarbones after the ‘87 PF

There was no way we would have beaten Carlton on a 30 degree day

Nice dream, but it wasn’t going to happen