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I was privileged to have witnessed both his first and last games and the great majority of the 270 in between. His skills were exquisite and he always excelled when playing for his State among the game's elite. Time moved slowly when he was near the footy and it stopped altogether when he soared over a pack to take a mark. But there was more to Robbie than his brilliance as a player - he was ever loyal to the club and never considered overtures to play elsewhere for big money as some do these days. I was introduced to him at a function not long after he retired and a few months later met him again at an MFC AGM in the long room at the MCC. He insisted on sitting next to me in the middle of the crowd rather than up near the front where I thought he belonged. He was more than a champion player - he was a champion bloke. Condolences to the family. Rest in peace Robbie #2

Let's put the great man on the demonland banner

I watched him play for 14 years, his entry to playing being my entry to footy consciousness. He was the greatest football hero a Dees loving kid could have. He was the greatest footballer never to win a Brownlow medal. He was the greatest footballer never to win a premiership. He was the most loyal of clubmen, when he had every reason not to be. and he was the most beautiful footballer I've ever seen. RIP Robbie.

When I reflect on my childhood, it's always remembered through the prism of footy. Every day I'd be playing, or watching or talking footy. Integral to that of course was the poor, floundering Dees. Like many on here, I was the lone Melbourne supporter amongst my friends - possibly my entire school. So many young Melbourne supporters are currently being turned off footy because of our current woes. Why didn't thousands of kids my age leave the MFC back in the late 70s and 80s? It was simply really. We had Robbie.

For what it's worth, i'm sure Robbie is more than proud we have this guy well and truly giving his number the honour it deserves:

We are having a crack at Tom. I been given no word on how we are going.

By far the greatest player I have seen at the Dees. Poise, grace, skill, courage, leadership - all in a skinny body not made for footy and horrible eyesight. I met him at a club open day in the 70's, still have his signature in an old autograph book. I had a kick with Paul Callery but desperately wanted to kick with Robbie. In the country growing up, on cold Sundays in the late 70's I would be out kicking a soggy, rotten old footy between trees and yelling out "Flower"!!! I was fortunate enough to meet him when my friends' brother-in-law played for the Dees in the early 80's and I was allowed in the rooms before and after the game. I was there for the 1987 finals series, rising with the whole Dees crowd, yelling out "Robbiiieeee" every time he went near the ball. I love Schwarz, Farmer, Lyon, Brett Lovett... many others. But no-one comes anywhere near Robbie for me. I am just so sad tonight. I feel like the whole MFC family has lost its elder statesman, oldest son, and club icon.

I think we need to escape this mindset. I understand the grief and I say this with the utmost respect. We are a far greater club for having this man grace the G in our colours.

I remember going into Robbie's shop mid 87 when I was only 6 to get a Dees jumper with my mum. When he asked me what number I wanted on the back, I very quickly answered "2." Robbie laughed, and said you don't what #2, I'm an old man, almost finished and he talked me into getting #3. Whilst I was only young, I can remember what a friendly, humble and gentle man he was. He must have spent half an hour chatting to us both about the dees, did I play footy, how I was doing at school etc. Legend.

I love Robbie. The benchmark for club loyalty. Possibly our greatest player/legend. RIP.

I'm a bit like Nasher. Pretty much ambivalent about him because it's been obvious watching him play through most of the season that his heart wasn't in the club and that he wanted to go elsewhere. I had the same feeling about Colin Sylvia before him and Beamer and Jared Rivers before that and of course, Scully in 2011 and it's not confined to just them. This is one of the evils of free agency and will continue to hound particularly the lesser clubs as long as we retain it in the present form or perhaps until the football world comes to accept it and what it brings. It's also symptomatic of the culture that developed over time at the club and it's no doubt Paul Roos' biggest challenge to overcome. With these things in mind it's easy to understand where the club's recruiting policy is headed and why there is a push to bring in players with mature heads and experience at being successful at both personal and club level. There's been a massive void in that area at this club for a long time and it can't be underestimated. It's something that's brought down our last few coaches and we can see what's happened at Gold Coast that lacked it, particularly after Junior went down. The one thing that is imperative in my view is the need to formulate a further contract with Nathan Jones that recognises his importance to the club and his leadership value and which establishes his commitment to the club going forward. There have been many theories about why the club's performances fell away in the latter half of the season and Josh Mahoney put it down yesterday to the number of players who had restricted preseasons and the impact of this on their fitness in the end. There's some truth in that but another aspect was the fact that we had at least one of our key players putting in half hearted performances while another who plays with full commitment and professionalism out for several weeks with a broken leg. Without wishing ill on anyone, had it been the other way around, we would have won a few more games at the end because, as we've learned over the past few years, players who are not committed to the cause are a cancer to a club.

"It's most satisfying to be a one club player. I love the Melbourne Football Club." - Robert Flower

A true champion and the most skilled player I have seen at the club. I was at Western Oval on June 4th 1973 and saw this skinny kid with huge black glasses on and thought gee he can play. A week later he debuted against Geelong still shy of his 18th birthday. I was in awe as he was 2 weeks younger than me playing for my beloved D's. I was constantly amazed at his skill and courage in such a frail looking frame and I hated Dipper for cleaning him up in his final game the only time I think he ever got cleaned up. I am so glad I had the joy of following his magnificent career. His record is a lesson for us all as he played in just 88 wins and 184 losses and was there in some very dark times. He only made a finals appearance in his final season, 1987. So fitting that the current wearer of the number 2 epitomises the spirit of Robbie. I am so sad at his passing and offer my condolences to his family R.I.P.

My first footy memories are my long departed Pa saving Footy Records for me. It was 1981, we were rubbish but the whole family laughed at Jacko and was impressed with young Healy. But Robbie.....he was spoken of in hushed tones. A deity. We didn't have much. But we had Robbie. He was ours, and no bag of cash, or cheap finals appearances, was going to change that. My old mans the hardest bastard I know, but he'll be crying himself to sleep tonight. Have 5 bounces and dob one from 50 great man.

Lovely tribute paid by Garry Lyon on FC tonight.

it's odd. It occurs on the week we have two players choose to leave the MFC whilst one of our most loyal passes on.

Living in Brisbane I see a lot of Lions games, Sauce can seriously play, he's not the guy to prance around and look busy like Frawley, he actually defends and directs the other back men. He can actually use the ball unlike our current back men. Have him and Harry O and we'll make big strides off back next year.

I find so many of the comments here so strange. Mitch didn't play many games for this club but I don't recall a single game that he played for our club when he didn't give it his best shot. He suffered a debilitating physical injury and there were further issues with the healing process that prolonged his time out of the game and in that time, for whatever reason, the mental demons took over and the decision has been made that it's in his best interests that he move on. The club's position is that we should also move forward, get the best compensation and move on with the task of making ours a better team able to compete with the rest.

7. Danger slips getting out of cab for presser and does his knee... Curse continues

Firstly & most importantly, my condolences to Robbie's family & the MFC. I am just devastated by this news. Robbie Flower was 2 years old than me; Melbourne High & my school had annual sports days; I had the privilege of watching a young Robbie Flower & sharing a field with him once. My young adulthood was then spent following Melbourne through some very bleak times. Following Melbourne in the 70s-80s really meant you followed Robbie Flower. There was nothing-else! The youngsters on this site must look at some old video clips. Through my tears, I cannot do justice to accurately describing Robbie's grace on the football field, which was (and remains in my opinion) unparalleled. That running nonchalant left-handed bounce. I will focus on one of his many accolades: vice-captain (VC) of the MFC Team of the Century. I will say that again. A player with 88 wins-184 losses (8th most AFL/VFL losses all time;one of the worst win-loss percentages at 32%) was selected above multiple-premiership players from the Golden Era to be VC our Team of the Century. We have just lost our Vice Captain! One then turns to the subject of loyalty. More tears! Robbie had his chances to be a "free agent" But he stayed.He didn't leave for money or premierships. And we loved him all the more.

A great suggestion. RIP. A true legend.

Garbage.

Roos once blindsided was furious. I think it is fair to say at this point Roos wanted nothing more to do with him except for extracting the best trade for him.

I can't believe anyone is defending MC. Those who suggest MFC pushed him out and do not want him are delusional.

My ignorant guess: we will get Pick 3 because, having denied us the PP, the AFL will be doing a bit of impression management. It's not that they're committed to equalisation - they're not - but that they're committed to appearing committed. Dudding us on the comp. pick would blow a hole in that.

Great pic HH. Get him on the banner alone with the number 2 in the middle.

My sincere condolences to his family. Absolutely gutted. He gave so many of us joy and hope over many lean years. A great champion who was always under appreciated by the competition. Should have won the chas. Simply the most elegant and skillful player I have ever seen. I am typing this with tears in my eyes as no doubt many others have done tonight. Rest in peace Robbie you will live in our hearts and memories forever.

I started going to the footy in 1987, and was at Robbie's final game. I didn't know him personally, but I remember Jim Stynes as president talking about the importance of togetherness in football clubs, and it rings true here. There is a level of connection for all of us to Robbie because of what he did for our club. Sincere condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

My childhood hero. How we used to pretend to be Robbie, bouncing a plastic footy down the hallway of our house, dodging and weaving and leaving opponents in our wake, just like the famous number two. I'll never forget the joy of screaming "ROBBIEEEE!" as he took yet another screamer or kicked a beautiful goal. He made me proud to support the MFC. Vale Tulip. We will miss you, but never forget you. A champion in every sense of the word.

Robbie Flower was a legend. One of the greatest memories I have is going with my dad to each of the finals in '87 as a 9 year old and seeing the effort the club and our supporters put in to win a flag for Robbie. I'm so glad I got to see him play. He was our club for 20 dark years. He kept us on the map. We all owe a lot to him.

Probably the most loved son of our great club. Enormous hole in the MFC heart. R.I.P

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Flower In Ken Piesse's The Complete Guide to Australian Football, Flower's player summary quotes Brent Crosswell "...beat Flower and you could just about retire from League Football because anything else smacked of anti-climax."

wow. So sad. R.I.P Robbie Flower. Although i was too young to ever have the honour of seeing you play, your passion for the game, ability to play it and uncompromising love for the MFC is the stuff of legend. You'll live forever in the hearts, souls and words of the MFC faithful.

What I have trouble getting my head around is the pronouncement by the doc that he must leave. Surely wherever he goes its the same pressure cooker environment of an AFL club. You could argue that he's placed himself under more pressure by selecting a club that sees itself as a Premiership contender.

Melbourne Football Club Supporters Syndrome "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong, and it will be even worse than what we thought is was going to be. And when things are going right, it will only be a matter of time before this is corrected." Dr rpfc

I remember when my 13 year old son and I were watching one of Mitch's games, he turned to me and said, " we've finally found a superstar dad" The rest is history, and needless to say how excited he was at the prospect of Mitch coming back and then totally devastated when he declared he was going to leave. I pray that we can get some one like Danger , or that Hogan becomes the player we all hope he will, for all the little red and blue damaged hearts out there.

Dunn was simply looking out for a friend, a friend who has depression which can cause suicide. Imagine if Mitch read some of the stuff that was said about him on Facebook, Charlotte Dawson anyone? I know that Dunny is just as upset as us that Mitch is going tp be playing elsewhere, but the personal attacks he read, as well as the personal attacks I noticed as well offended him. Just because he loves the club and the good fans doesn't mean he has to like all the morons personally attacking a guy with depression trying to change his life from the horror he had been living in.

What BS. The guy stands up for a soon to be former colleague and we are rabid about it. Effing ridiculous.

Roos is a GOD!!! Where would we be without him.

Sort of James Hird’s Statement

Might mean nothing but Angus and PR were having a chat and a laugh with each other before his presser today. Looked very chummy. He was chatting with Tyler during the presser as well. And PR said he wouldn't give up 2 and 3 for Danger or anyone for that matter. Said it would be player and picks, so he's obviously got an eye on his options at the top end of the draft. Methinks he's super keen on Angus.

So lets summarize, the big four names leaving their clubs in the last 2 years have gone where; Buddy and Tippet-Swans, MC- Cats, Chip- Hawks. The premiers of the last 4 years. Yes working a treat.

I like that Demonland episode where Bbo and Moonie cut a hole in the women's bathroom to have a perv, but cut it in the wrong wall and ended up seeing Biff getting changed in the men's. We all had a good laugh as Moonie was traumatised by the view but Bbo had to pretend to be revolted while being secretly turned on by Biff's thick chest hair. Song Formely Known As was doodling in the corner the whole episode. Picket Fence announced to us that he wanted to join the navy, but everyone laughed at him to he continued delivering mail and talking out of his butthole. There was another episode where Dee-Luded laid off the LSD, but it turned out badly when he found his body had developed a chemical dependency and couldn't operate without it.

I like to think of Demonland is a MFC-aligned pub that we are constantly in. We have our Cheers like regulars, there are a few cliques, there are a few crazy people talking nonsense alone in the corner, there are tossbags bagging out the place but never leaving, there are attention seekers trying to get anyone to look at them, there are about 4 women, and there is a general sense of hopelessness that somehow morphs into unchallenged hopefulness and then challenged confidence. At some point, the pub will be right and we will be right in our confidence.

In that case:

Here is the confirmation - the club made a mistake - whodathunk it? Hogan said his back injury came to a head when he played for Melbourne against Geelong in the club’s second NAB Challenge match in Alice Springs, back in February. “It was a bit sore going into the game, but the physios insisted it was just tightness. I was training as though I was feeling OK and I was a bit aware of it, but it affected me during the game in the third quarter, when I tried to kick it,” he said. “My whole body seized up and I’ve gone ‘this isn’t tightness’. I basically couldn’t run in the last quarter and then I woke up the next morning and I was basically the same – I was just stiff. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-10-01/hogan-aims-for-round-one-debut

So if I have this right 1. Essendrug have decided not to appeal a watertight Federal court ruling (first smart thing Little has done) 2. Hird decides no way, the world is wrong I am right, this is now a matter of principle I wish to continue attempting to climb everest without a rope. 3. The players (who this farcical soap opera was allegedly all about) try to talk Hird from committing suicide and let them finalise the matter and get on with their lives. 4. Hird decides no way, the players dont know whats good for them I will continue in the hope that when I fall a mattress truck happens to driving by. 5. Essendrug will now cut loose the final safety restraint from Hird and sack him (second smart thing Little has done) 6. Oustanding matter to follow will be the removal of Little and his supporters from the Board. My question to the legal fraternity is, if the Club and players go to ASADA and request SCN's and wish to proceed and Hird decides to cointinue the fight and lodge an appeal, Can ASADA proceed given Middleton has already ruled that the players and obviously the club are party to the matter heard by the Federal Court? Would Hird then not be acting in opposition to the players he always stated were the very reason for his intransigence?. From the very begining of this the histroical connection between Hird and Charter and the supplements industry going back to his playing days is interesting. For me there are some unanswered question regarding the use of performance enhancing substances from the 90's by AFL aplayers (Note I include Woey's brownlow year in this who was also associated to Charter). Could this have formed Hirds perception of drugs in sport and whether supplements should be banned. Comments by Dank suggest he is of the opinion that the WADA code and banned lists are ridculous. It was interesting hearing the comments recently from Dank and seeing him turn up at the Federal Court. If I was a betting man I would put a few bob on Hird being to some degree in denial over Dank and has alleged crimninallity and Hirds position on this matter being partly based on information and advice from Dank and others that the WADA code and ASADA ban way to many substances that should not be banned. Hird and Dank are obviously of the opinion that Essendon were just catching up to others in the AFL regarding the use of supplements. This may be the context in which Hird is making these absurd decisions. There is way more to this behind the scenes to play out yet.

Are you kidding me? A bloke carps all over our jumper and its 35,000 supporters with one of the most gutless, dishonest betrayals you will ever see and Dunn backs him up, bagging the supporters.. because he is also just there for a paycheck and doesn't give a rats about US who are the ones it is all about you think that's OK because is a 'former colleague' ? You would never find a senior player at a real club taking that stance funny the comment was later removed huh Dunn himself should be kissing all our feet for paying his wages for many many below average years before he has finally repaid something in the last couple he should be defending the jumper and the supporters not condemning them