The Legacy Series | Episode 1 | Robert Flower

This is bloody brilliant. Well done MFC. Being born in 1987 I was probably at a game as a baby in his final year, but whenever older Melbourne supporters talk about great Melbourne players, it's always Barrass and Robbie. I've always admired Robbie more for his loyalty. 59 is way too young. 😪

This is Brilliant!

That’s some good content.

Outstanding.  That should be compulsory viewing for all MFC fans, particularly those who weren't fortunate enough to see Robbie running around in the red and blue.

Excellent viewing!

I'd love to see that statue at the G!

I have been a passionate Melbourne supporter since the mid 70’s. Robbie is by far my favourite ever player. Daylight second.

In my early days going to watch him play was pretty much the only reason to go to our matches. The other team probably won but they didn’t have Robbie playing for them. 

31 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

Excellent viewing!

I'd love to see that statue at the G!

Something at Caulfield, at least, surely.

Pivoting, ball on the bounce, from neighbouring Murrumbeena, towards the 'G.

 

Edited January 3Jan 3 by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

Great video. Thanks to Mike Sheehan, Tom Flower, Todd Viney and Bernie Quinlan.

16 minutes ago, demongorm said:

Thanks to Mike Sheehan, Tom Flower, Todd Viney and Bernie Quinlan.

 

3 hours ago, Adam The God said:

The Legacy Series | Episode 1 | Robert Flower

 

1 hour ago, Robbie02 said:

Daylight second.

With the things about Robbie they've got to talk about, and do - from living first-hand knowledge - it's hard to imagine how other reminiscences can match this. In this regard, particularly, Robbie02 seems correct. '...| Episode 1 |...' has created a challenging precedent for '...Series...'.

Edited January 3Jan 3 by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

I have mentioned on DL before that I went to primary school with Robbie as we were both Murrumbeena boys. He had great athleticism even in his early years. There would be ad hoc football games from time to time at the grassed area at the back of the school. Robbie would jump over other guys heads even in those early years. We both followed the Dee’s and would  talk about it from time to time and I visited him at his home a few times and it was always talk about footy and the Dee’’s. 

i was fortunate enough to be at the Presidents lunch pregame when the Number 1 ticket holder was handed from RDB to Robbie. Being an introvert I worked up the courage to go up to him and say: No one is more deserving of being the number one ticket holder than you. He thanked me and immediately changed the subject to me. Remembering me from all those years ago and telling Tom who was there that I was a Murrumbeena boy. 
I have always placed loyalty above all else and he epitomized that trait more than anyone. 
For those who weren’t old enough to have seen him play live you missed out seeing poetry in motion. He moved like a cat on the field, so graceful.
Why there isn’t a statute of him has always left me in n disbelief. I hope it’s rectified soon. I was so sad that he didn’t live to see the 2021 Premiership,he would have been pleased and proud.Anyway enough of an old man’s ramblings. Rest welll Robbie  MFC Champion.

Edit is this afterthought: I have always felt the club have not done enough about a suitable permanent recognition for Robbie and his selfless service to the club. 

Edited January 3Jan 3 by Deevout

1 hour ago, Deevout said:

For those who weren’t old enough to have seen him play live you missed out seeing poetry in motion. He moved like a cat on the field, so graceful.

Robert Flower was as artistic in his movements on the field as any great ballet dancer on stage. A wonder to watch! And I had many happy years watching him play!

Within the cricket club section of the MCG there is the Robert Flower terrace, so he certainly has been recognised (and rightfully so)✔️.

Firstly, Robbie played 272 games from 1973 to 1987 while Tom played 26 games from 1977 to 1979. [This part has been corrected]

Secondly, a personal reflection. I started my legal practice in April 1974 in Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena and the first person to knock on my office door was Jim Flower (the third brother) who was collecting donations for the Murrumbeena Football Club. As he was explaining the purpose of his visit, in comes Greg Wells who was a sign writer, ready to paint my office signs. So we spent the better part of the next hour chatting about the Demons and Jim’s bother Robert of who he was mightily proud. Soon after, I got to meet Robbie and he was, of course, every bit as great a footballer as he is depicted in the program and, on top of that, a wonderful bloke.

Sadly, the team rarely tasted success in his time and that of Greg Wells and, in the final quarter of his career, he was robbed by injury and circumstance of the opportunity to play in a Grand Final and possibly a Premiership. It would have been a fitting end to his career just as it would also have been wonderful had he been fortunate enough to have lived to see the glory of 2021.

I still look back fondly on my first day of practice in my new office even though my bank balance after Day 1 was lighter by the cost of the sign writing and the $10.00 donation made to the Murrumbeena Football Club. 

This discussion has reminded me of a couple of odd circumstances that happened over the ensuing years which I will come back to later. But for now, bring on the tributes for one of our all time great heroes.

He was loved by all including those that may never of had the honour to meet him in person 

It is unlikely we will ever see another player of such uncanny football skills and grace

 For those who saw him in the flesh we are all so privileged 

 

such different sorts of content being produced under the new media and comms head

great to watch

@Whispering_Jack I think he said Todd played one year with Robbie? 

1 hour ago, Dee Dee said:

Robert Flower was as artistic in his movements on the field as any great ballet dancer on stage. A wonder to watch! And I had many happy years watching him play!

Within the cricket club section of the MCG there is the Robert Flower terrace, so he certainly has been recognised (and rightfully so)✔️.

It’s there on MFC game days only from memory. (Which to those who dont know it was arranged by the MFC you would think it’s a tribute by the MCC) Personally I would like to see something else like an award on BNF night. Just my opinion to which I am entitled. 

Edited January 3Jan 3 by Deevout

57 minutes ago, Clintosaurus said:

@Whispering_Jack I think he said Todd played one year with Robbie? 

Oops. I think you’re correct.

Apologies to the producer.

1 hour ago, Deevout said:

It’s there on MFC game days only from memory. (Which to those who dont know it was arranged by the MFC you would think it’s a tribute by the MCC) Personally I would like to see something else like an award on BNF night. Just my opinion to which I am entitled. 

The Robert Flower Terrace is a permanent fixture in the cricket club area of the ground and was an initiative of the cricket club. I went to the formal opening, as did Robbie’s brother Tom.

Edited January 3Jan 3 by Dee Dee

6 hours ago, Robbie02 said:

I have been a passionate Melbourne supporter since the mid 70’s. Robbie is by far my favourite ever player. Daylight second.

In my early days going to watch him play was pretty much the only reason to go to our matches. The other team probably won but they didn’t have Robbie playing for them. 

I had the good fortune to meet Robbie Flower and mentioned to him, he was the only reason I went to watch the Demons late 70s to mid 80s!

7 hours ago, rpfc said:

That’s some good content.

Tis, although I'd be setting the shot up not in front of a reflective surface. Small point though.

They say it's a mistake to meet your heroes.  On this occasion it wasn't.  I met Robbie the year he died (2014).  It was during an MCC club function promoting the new coach (Roos).  My Brother and I chatted with Rob for a good 10-15 minutes.  I was taken aback by how friendly he was.  Nearing the end of the night we mentioned we had to go and he also decided to leave and took the lift down to the car park with us, where we chatted further.  It was a wonderful meeting for long suffering supporters who cherished the memories of watching him play.  He was just so nice.  He is also without question the greatest wingman to grace a footy field.

There are many videos of Rob, but I like this short one.

 

Enjoy, I think I got this from someone on the old Demonology site

 

5 hours ago, Dee Dee said:

The Robert Flower Terrace is a permanent fixture in the cricket club area of the ground and was an initiative of the cricket club. I went to the formal opening, as did Robbie’s brother Tom.

I actually took a snap of this plaque in the MCC area on Boxing Day, roughly located from memory at Q45 I guess?

It didnt actually say Robert Flower Terrace anywhere, but there were no other plaques like this around anywhere

11 hours ago, Adam The God said:

Tis, although I'd be setting the shot up not in front of a reflective surface. Small point though.

Also the sound space wasn’t great. 

These are the little things they will get better at with practice considering they never bothered doing them much in the past.

12 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Enjoy, I think I got this from someone on the old Demonology site

 

Great clip. Apart from his complement of overwhelming footy skills - par excellence - he really did have the best drop punt in the game and a great sense of space in which his wizardry could be utilised. I found it too difficult to view the whole clip - too sad - the memories hurt like hell. You are never forgotten, Robbie.