IT’S really hard to know where to start with this.

How do you comprehend yet another much-loved figure in the red and blue being taken far too early?
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Robert Flower tributes from melbourne greats:

Todd Viney | Steven Smith | David Neitz | Russell Robertson | Playing highlights
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Like anyone who loves the game – and the Melbourne Football Club in particular – the news that came through on Thursday night about Robert Flower was just so terribly, terribly sad.

Let’s forget his phenomenal sporting deeds for a moment; the loss of any life is always sad. And at just 59, it’s simply not fair.

For his family and close friends, the loss of Rob Flower – he actually preferred Rob to Robert or Robbie – must be incredibly heart wrenching, and I send my sincerest condolences.

For those who knew him through football – or those who just watched him grace the MCG wing so majestically – he made such a genuine and lasting impact, and gave such enjoyment to many.  

For me – and like so many who had the privilege to watch him live – he was my first football hero. And he remains so today.

In 1982, I remember going to my first Melbourne match. It was against Footscray at Waverley Park. Robbie Flower played that day and the Demons won by two points.

My recollections of that match are sketchy. But I remember watching Robbie for the first time.

That was my first ‘hardcore’ year of following the game. I was in prep. I collected my first set of Scanlens footy cards. They had red borders that year – and the shots were portraits of the players. (Of course there was the obligatory powder on top of the cards, when you opened the pack for the first time, thanks to the chewy inside.)

I can still remember getting Robbie Flower’s card. That was like winning a gold ticket inside a Wonka bar.

That year, I was decked out in my Melbourne clobber, courtesy of a shopping experience with Mum to K-Mart. Soon, I started collecting plenty of football and Melbourne paraphernalia – and Robbie Flower memorabilia was very much part of that.

I’ll never forget – and I’ve still got the autograph to this day – meeting Rob in his Sportsco store in Forest Hill.

Mum and Dad took me in to meet Robbie, but unfortunately he wasn’t there. He was over in Western Australia gearing up to represent the ‘Big V’ in a State of Origin match. That was in the days when those epic matches were played on a Tuesday in Perth.

Determined to meet the great man, I went back a couple of weeks later. I went with a lifelong friend and his Mum, who took us back to Forest Hill.

This time success! There he was. The great Robert Flower! I couldn’t believe I met him and he gave me his autograph. I can still remember it today – even though it was 31 years ago.

I can never forget when he was contesting for the 1984 Brownlow Medal, along with another early favourite of mine, Peter Moore, who happened to take home his second ‘Charlie’ and his first with Melbourne that year.

I either fell asleep on the couch – or it was past my bed time – yet I remember waking up the next morning finding that my Mum had left the results on a bit of paper. It read Moore from Collingwood’s David Cloke from Flower. Two Demons in the top three in the Brownlow Medal – featuring two of my favourites!

That year in 1984, Melbourne defeated Hawthorn at Princes Park.

It was such a shock – even for a seven-year old – to realise that Melbourne beat Hawthorn back then. I later found out that it snapped a 22-game losing streak against the Hawks. Or in other words, Melbourne hadn’t defeated the brown and gold since 1973.

I remember Moore, Alan Jarrott and Russell Richards playing really well that day. And although I can’t remember Robbie’s performance that day (I’ve since checked he had 12 disposals) – I remember thinking how happy I was for him!

I wore his badges. I collected the Robert Flower book, written by cricketer Ashley Mallett and remember hearing Robbie’s version of – wait for it – Macho Man by the Village People on the cult-footy record ‘Footy Favourites’. It also featured the likes of Barry Round singing Elton John’s Little Jeannie, with Trevor Barker and Tim Watson also singing rockin’ tunes.  

Ultimately, for me, and most that bleed red and blue, the great memories of Robbie came in 1987.

His final season was outstanding.

He led the goalkicking with 47 goals. He kicked five goals in Melbourne’s first final in 23 years, when the Demons smashed North Melbourne by 118 points. To this day, it remains the greatest win in an elimination final – and the fifth greatest finals win of all-time.

Remarkably – and sadly – when you check the annals of that game, Sean Wight, Jim Stynes and Flower were all among Melbourne’s best that day. It’s just incredible to think that that trio has passed away.

Add to that the tragic losses of former coach Dean Bailey earlier this year and Troy Broadbridge in 2004 – both taken far too soon – and words can’t describe how or why?

Footy throws up all sorts of things – particularly these days – but when a person such as Rob is no longer with us, it’s just a timely reminder of all the good and important things in life.  

I won’t profess to know him close or intimately as many, but somehow everyone who loved football and Melbourne felt they did.

I had the privilege of interviewing him in my first year at afl.com.au back in 1999. I remember bumbling – it’ll never leave me – when I finished interviewing him. I couldn’t thank him enough for his time. I just blurted out: “It’s such an honuor talking to a Melbourne legend. Thank you.”

I think I may have repeated it a few times!

But he was so giving with his time then – and that continued whenever I had the fortune to speak with him.  

Since joining Melbourne in mid-2010, I’ve been very lucky to interview him on several occasions.  

It got to the point when he came into the office – he would have a chat! Yes, with me!

The beauty about him was that he was a genuine, humble, great man. And when you meet your heroes and they are better people – that’s even more reassuring. Humility goes a long way in the world. So does respect towards people – and a simple hello. Not hard. But this is what the people’s champion did with no fuss whatsoever.

Yes, his courage on the football field, bedazzling skills, ability to baulk and evade were hallmarks of his game, but to be an out and out champion – and one of Melbourne’s greatest and one of the game’s finest – is some feat.  

To interview him and hear him tell his story was a privilege.

He was one of the reasons I’m here today.

I fell in love with the game – and unashamedly Robbie Flower.

He was everything good about the game. He was so easy for a young boy to look up to. And he was so universally admired. Perhaps, in recent history, the likes of Simon Black or Lenny Hayes come close for players widely respected by all.   

But it’s hard to remember anyone as well-liked in all football circles as Robbie Flower. Trevor Barker, another from Rob’s era, is right up there too.

Earlier this year, in the lead-up to the Carlton clash in round four – Melbourne’s first win under Roosy – I met some friends before the match, who were taking their two children to the game. My lifelong mate, who brought his kids, wasn’t too fussed about footy. He was simply taking his son along, who had fallen for the game.  

As I was chatting to my old school mate, his wife and their kids outside the MCG, Robbie walked past and said ‘g’day Matt’ or something similar. I turned around and said ‘g’day back’ and waved at Rob. He didn’t have to do that. But here he was, my first football idol, saying hello to me.

When my mate asked who that was – remembering he wasn’t into football – I told him it was Robert Flower. Yet even he knew exactly who Robbie was! He even sent me a text today to say “Mate, heard the sad news about Robbie Flower. Always remember his poster on your wall.”

It reinforced the impact he made.

Even my brother, who likes football, but is not hardcore, would always say as a joke: “How did Robbie Flower play today”, knowing full well that he had long retired.

He was a name everyone knew in this town – and beyond!   

To hear the likes of Todd Viney, Russell Robertson, Steven Smith and David Neitz talk so glowingly of Rob on Friday just outside the MCG – near the beautiful new statue of Jimmy – was poignant.

Robbie wouldn’t look out of place there. In fact, he probably commands it.

He owned the MCG wing and is an ornament at the home of football.

He’s a much-loved hero to so many. He’s influenced so many. From his teammates, opponents – and to so many who loved watching him dash along the Members’ wing.

His legacy will live on – there’s no question.

Thank you Rob for everything you did. Your humbleness mightn’t have realised it, but you made a massive impact on my life. I’m working in an industry I fell in love with because of your artistry.   

You made a difference.

Rest in peace, Rob.