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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. 😪

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.

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.

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.

You do me a great injustice Red. I didn’t get sucked in by Boney, I was simply the inventor of what later became known as the “forward press”. Smithy hated the idea when I outlined it to him, and refused to use it. Given the late final quarter circumstances, I thought I’d show him the benefits of such a move. The rest is history. Well before my time I was.

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.

Three conspiracy theorists walk into a bar. You can't tell me that's just a coincidence.

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

Well, that didn't take long. They've already made a movie about it. The good news is that Steven May doesn't have a starring role.

No no no no no Steven. You’re an MFC player………Portsea Pub is more upper class and worthy of your presence than the riffraff of Sorrento.

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.

Chin, the new ANB - in more ways than one ...

I am confused how you can have Lindsay in the side when he has been in rehab pretty much all preseason so far and if I understand comments wont join full training til end of January. What do you base this on? Unrelated, I love Melksham and think he will offer fantastic depth and assist player development but if he is in the side more than a handful of times this year (even as sub) our list has not developed and I doubt we are playing finals. We must start to see up and coming players pass him by,

A peanut walks into a bar and gets a salted!! Nothing to see here!

Then again, while playing in the back pocket, you got sucked in by your man, forward pocket resting rover Mick Bone, by following him to your forward line, when he went kick chasing, thereby allowing you to mark a miskick and kick the winning goal for us in the 1964 GF.

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

Something at Caulfield, at least, surely. Pivoting, ball on the bounce, from neighbouring Murrumbeena, towards the 'G.

I think you are confusing most goals and best. Don't get me wrong, Fritter is a gun. But even at his best I have koz and JVR ahead of Friitter in terms of ability. And he was miles from his best last season. Sure he once again topped our goal kicking list, but his effort and intensity was sub par as evidenced by his polling in the bluey. Barely missed a game, kicked most goals but still couldn't crack the top 10 - unlike three other forwards in nibbla (3rd), koz (4th) and Chandler (8th). Fritter looks very motivated this preseason, so signs are positive he'll pull his finger out. But if he doesn't there's every chance he'll be dropped.

You and me both, Neil! 😂

Please. Us true portsea people don't mix with the plebs at the pub. Why go to the pub when you've got your own view? 😂

when the pub shuts

Interesting commentary in that clip. The club has been very vocal advising that the reported culture problems are massively overblown. Reading that a 'young teammate declares he is determined to play a key role in changing the culture of the club' instantly made me click it to hear what was said. Windsor doesn't actually say that at all in the clip.

A late withdrawal from the team means an unexpected last minute debut.

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.

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

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

That’s some good content.

Frittata goal kicking record speaks volumes despite a poor (by his standards) year in 2024. Im interested who you think would take his spot if dropped? He was one of the few who had surgery post 2024. It may explain a few things.

This is Brilliant!

Geez I hope the MFC never finds a Genie’s lamp. Their making-a-wish game is sch!tt 😜

The old FILO approach (first in, laughed out)

Had me suckered in, Baaastard 😁

Scoops is about as reliable as the McDonalds ice cream machine

It’s not hatred Chin is a fine clubman and very determined and goes in hard. But the others are IMO a better potential for thst spot of HFF in the end. All will kick more GOALS I have no doubt.

By end of 2025 for HFF Tholstrup Brown AMW Pickett Petracca Sharp are all capable of playing that position plus Langford or Lindsay may be suitable. Fristch is also capable of playing HFF role and from left field I think even Jefferson may ba skilled enough as well in his earlier debut games.

I Think in time Brown or AMW could replace Chin with pressure plus the benefit of kicking more and harder goals. That’s by the end or during the season.

Nerrrrrrrrrrrrd.

Better odds of winning tattslotto, world peace or a Tom Sparrow break out year than our best forward ever getting dropped

For all the talk about Chandlers pressure, he lacks one thing pivotal for a forward... GOALS he just does not score ENOUGH of them! I would like to see Brown dog, Woey and even AMW trialled in Chandlers spot. Wonder if Harvey Langford is worth a shot there as well. Chandler nowhere near a walk up start IMO Note, I already had Toltoys and Sharp in my 23!

Me three!

Richmond's Noah Balta Arrested After Pub Altercation Richmond defender Noah Balta has been arrested and charged with assault following an incident at a northern Victoria pub. The altercation comes at a difficult time for the Tigers, whose tumultuous season has been further marred by off-field drama. Balta's run-in with the law follows an earlier confrontation this week involving his teammates at a Melbourne pub, who were spotted with Demon’s bad boy, Steven May, when a fight reportedly broke out. The off-field turbulence is a tough blow for Richmond, who struggled during season 2023, under first-year coach Adem Yze. In a twist of fate, Yze, prior to taking the reins at Richmond, worked as an assistant coach at Melbourne, under current head coach Simon Goodwin. It's a connection that has drawn some attention in light of recent events, as sources close to the situation claim both Goodwin and May were seen at the Sorrento pub following the earlier incident involving both the Tigers and Demons superstars. Melbourne Football Club has opted not to comment on the matter.

Way too early for ladder predictions given how critical a team's preseason is in terms of determining how well they'll go. So far so good for us in terms of number of players completing all sessions, our small rehabilitation group and no long term injuries (last season we had a big rehabilitation group and came into the season with Gus, Melk, Brown, McAdam all with long term injury, and sparg's nagging achilles soon becoming season ending). But there is a long way to go before the season starts so I'll wait until late Feb before making any predictions. Does anyone have any intel on how other club's pushing for the 8 preseasons are going?

The Hawks are my sliders for this season. They surprised everybody this year, but now teams know what they are about and will be digging into their gameplan. They won't get the unexpected wins against teams that underestimated them again. I expect them to drop out of the 8. 2026 will tell us whether their team and gameplan are the real deal or not. Also, I can't see us missing the 8 unless we suffer more major injuries. The media pile-on fails to acknowledge that we were essentially playing without three of our best mids. Trac was gone for half the season, Oliver was a shadow of his usual self without a real pre-season, plus playing injured, and of course the loss of Gus not only cost us on-field, but was a massive psychological hit to the team. While we don't get Gus back, the other two are in full flight and training well. Having them both fit and firing, plus natural improvement from the young mids, we'll see a different team next year.

Demons won 11 games with majority of our best 6 players out, with a better draw and some fit players, expecting us definitely to make the 8 and not surprised if we are top 4! Go Demons!

Damn it, entered holiday mode last week and forgot to do my tips, after finally a year in which I did OK! Bengals, Chargers, Vikings for this week.

Thanks matey… I look forward to the training reports to follow in the weeks ahead. I’d love to get down to attend a session or two with my son, but that’s looking unlikely now. Happy New Year to one and all and thanks Andy, for providing and maintaining this platform for so long… you’re an absolute marvel!!

I think it's a parody. I hope it is.

Thanks Lachie, it’s always hard when you finish on a bit of a sad note but good luck at Spotswood, my Uncle and Aunty used to live in Spotswood for years and years.