Vale Robbie Flower

[valleys07]

Terrible news coming through that one of Melbourne's greatest, Robert Flower has passed away aged 59.

Flower captained the Dee's form 1981–1987, won Melbourne's best and fairest in 1977, and is also a member of the clubs Team of the Century.
Flower also had the astute honour of captaining Victoria in the state of origin series when the game was at it's peak, and is also an Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee.
He kicked 315 goals over a career that spanned 14 years.

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."

Rest in Peace, Robbie. You sir, are a legend of our game and gone way too soon. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the Melbourne Football Club at this tough time.

The news was broken by Mark Stevens via twitter.

What a champion of the game and incredibly sad news

[Brad]

Yet to be offically confirmed but breaking over facebook/twitter, he was an absolute champion and well respected by all fans...

[valleys07]

Fingers crossed its a false rumour!

[Jim05]

Your ******* kidding, horrible news if true.

[PatowalongaPirate]

Whenever the conversation of "best players to never win a flag" comes up, Robbie Flower's name is always front and centre. Silky skills, lion hearted determination, and an ability to lift and lead his team mates when needed. Very sad news. A true champion of our game.

[valleys07]

Its been confirmed.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-pre ... 7078308134

What a loss to the football community. Shattering

[Big Phil]

Terribly sad news...

Vale...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-02/r ... asses-away

[The Dark Knight]

Terrible news, RIP Robbie.

[JK]

Sad news, I feel sorry for anyone that didn't get to see this marvel play the game. The Dees have lost some quality people of late

http://m.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/r ... 7078308134

[dedja]

Total agree mate, very, very sad.

There's another thread also ... viewtopic.php?f=11&t=40163

[JK]

Oops my bad, hadn't seen that .. Mods can you snip this one? (Ta)

[JK]

Massive loss for the Dees. One of the greatest I've ever seen play the game. Was an absolute privilege.

[Dutchy]

When I started following the VFL in the 80's he was one of my first memories that has lasted over time, love how he moved across the ground. Very sad.

[Ian]

One of the few players genuinely respected and admired from supporters of all clubs, a true champion gone way too early, RIP

[Mr Beefy]

Flower making people look stupid

[Rik E Boy]

I was too young to appreciate Bobby Skilton and join in the Cinderalla story that was the great Rover's sole Finals appearance in the 1970 Elimination Final. For Bobby, the fairytale was shortlived as his Swans were outclassed by a more seasoned St Kilda combination.

In 1987 it was a similiar story for Mebourne Great Robbie Flower. Back in 1987 the VFL and their media partners (Might have been channel ten long time ago now) shrewdly started showing live VFL Football in South Australia. This meant people of my generation who grew up watching Kernahan, Motley, Bradley, Naley, McIntosh and Aish got to see, and importantly, follow VFL football.

At this time I sort of barracked for Melbourne and Western Bulldogs, but hadn't really made a decision. I liked Geelong because they weren't Melbourne LOL. Once I saw one Gary Ablett play my mind was made up and I started following the Cats. Three teams stood out, Hawthorn, Carlton and Sydney who all got the double chance that year. Then there were the good players battling away in lesser teams.

The player who stood out was Melbourne champion Robbie Flower, who like Skilton before him played during a bleak period for his club. During the season Melbourne were no sure bet to make the finals with Footscray and Geelong looking to be ahead of them. In time honoured fashion both clubs got stage fright and Melbourne fell into the five for the first time in 23 years. Robbie was going to get his final.

Unlike Bobby Skilton's fairytale, Flower's blossomed. Playing more up forward towards the end of his career, many expected North (who had pipped by Minor premier Carlton the week before) to clean up the Dees in that first final and end Flower's career. Melbourne didn't read the script. They came out like men possessed and they cleaned up the Roos, punting them out of the premiership.

The next week they faced 'Edelsten's' Swans who had players the calibre of Williams, Toohey, Healy, Wright, Bolton and Mitchell. It was a repeat performance with the Demons smashing them in the second quarter. In this game Flower really turned back the clock with four goals. During the second quarter the Demons unleashed an avalanche of goals that sunk the Swans.

Robbie's farewell tour was extended for another week and people began to speak aloud about the possibility of a Melbourne premiership. For those who weren't there, this did not happen. During the frantic last minutes of the Preliminary Final against Hawthorn Jim Stynes inadvertently went over the mark and Gary Buckenara was given the 15 metre penatly and his goal ended Flower's career.

No flag for Robbie but he will be remembered by everyone who saw his trademark run down the wing and his elegant kicking style. He reminded me of Michael Aish, or rather Aish reminded me of a Robbie Flower.

RIP

regards,

REB

[JK]

Great wrap Reberta .. Although to be fair to the Dee's they didn't fall into the 5, they had to come from behind to beat the Dogs at the Western Oval in the final round (granted they needed the Hawks to roll the Cats still, so you're probably right lol).

Just said to mates this morning there was a lot of similarity between Flower and Aishy, Robbie was the suped up version though - Taller and faster. A true class act on and off the field.

[Rik E Boy]

Great wrap Reberta .. Although to be fair to the Dee's they didn't fall into the 5, they had to come from behind to beat the Dogs at the Western Oval in the final round (granted they needed the Hawks to roll the Cats still, so you're probably right lol).

Just said to mates this morning there was a lot of similarity between Flower and Aishy, Robbie was the suped up version though - Taller and faster. A true class act on and off the field.

Which of course leads you to thinking how Macca and Aish would have gone in the big league. I'm sure both would have prospered but I'm glad they remained loyal Redlegs.

regards,

REB

[Spargo]

Bounced the ball with his left, kicked with his right. When carrying the ball he was unique the way he "tucked it".
Just an out and out champion on & off the field who commanded respect. He took grace & class to a new level.
Our game is richer for having you & poorer for losing you.
Thankyou & RIP.

[gadj1976]

Looking at the vision on youtube takes me back. I remember him running amok during the mid 80's on a wing for the Dees and wished we could have him in our side somehow. The overriding thing about him (for mine) was his balance. He just NEVER fell over!