ROBERT Flower

(August 5, 1955 – October 2, 2014)

Hailing from East Bentleigh, the Melbourne-supporting Flower played his junior football with Murrumbeena Districts. His favourite player as a youngster was four-time Melbourne premiership player John Lord. Already touted as a future star with his local club, he tried out with Melbourne’s fourths, but was not cleared by Murrumbeena, as it wanted him to lead its under-17 team. He also faced several rejections by Melbourne, before it gave him an opportunity to play in the club’s fourths in 1972 – and from there the career of the late, great Robert Flower was born …

Playing career

1973 – Wearing the now famous No.2 guernsey, Flower makes his VFL debut against Geelong in round 10 at the MCG. The Demons win by 58 points. He has 14 disposals and kicks a goal. He remains in Melbourne’s side for the rest of the season and is named the club’s best first year player. From that point, he is a regular in Melbourne’s side for the rest of his career, barring a host of injuries.

1974 – Plays 18 matches in his second season.

1975 – Polls 11 Brownlow Medal votes – the first time he reaches double figures.

1976 – Almost plays in his first finals series – and Melbourne’s first since 1964 – but Melbourne is pipped at the post, with Footscray claiming the last spot in the then final five. Flower represents Victoria in state football for the first time. It’s the first of 15 appearances in the ‘Big V’ – including three as captain – where he enhances his reputation as an all-time great.
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Robert Flower tributes from melbourne greats:

Todd Viney | Steven Smith | David Neitz | Russell Robertson | Playing highlights
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1977 – Polls 22 votes (both field umpires award 3-2-1 votes that season) and claims Melbourne’s best and fairest award. Surprisingly, it’s his only Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy win. Flower represents Victoria in the first ‘State of Origin’ match between Victoria and Western Australia. He is named Victoria’s best in its loss. Flower also plays his first match with younger brother Tom, who makes his VFL debut against Geelong in round six, Kardinia Park. Tom plays 26 matches with the Demons from 1977-79.

1978 – Once again named Victoria’s best in its second State or Origin clash – and its first win against Western Australia.

1979 – Finishes third in the Brownlow Medal with 19 votes to winner Peter Moore, then with Collingwood and later a Melbourne teammate. Flower also tops Melbourne’s goalkicking for the first time with 33 goals. Again represents Victoria against Western Australia and South Australia.

1980 – Remarkably plays every match for the season, despite carrying a dislocated shoulder throughout the year. He also polls 14 Brownlow Medal votes. He is named All-Australian following his performances in representative football, where he is named Victoria’s best in its win against Western Australia. He is also regarded as one of the best against South Australia.

1981 – Named captain of Melbourne in Ron Barassi’s first season as coach. Flower also receives Melbourne life membership.

1982 – Flower captains Victoria for the first time against Western Australia. He is also regarded as the Big V’s best player in its win over the Sandgropers. In the process, Flower becomes the first Melbourne player to lead the ‘Big V’ since Ron Barassi in 1961. He is also named in the VFL team of the year.

1983 – He leads Victoria in both of its State of Origin matches against Western Australia and South Australia. He is the Big V’s best player against the Croweaters and kicks four goals in its loss. His performances lead to All-Australian selection following his State of Origin performances. He is also named in the VFL team of the year. Flower finishes second in Melbourne’s best and fairest award – it’s the fourth time he comes runner-up. He tops the club’s goalkicking for the second time with 40 goals. Flower is also named in the VFL team of the year.

1984 – He plays 21 of 22 matches, but battles a nerve complaint in his back, which affects his legs. He gains All-Australian selection and is named in the VFL team of the year. Flower finishes third in the Brownlow Medal for the second time. Coincidentally, he comes third for the second time to Peter Moore again. Only this time, the two are teammates. Flower represents Australia against Ireland in the International Rules series.

1985 – Plays just three matches for the season, after Footscray’s Neil Cordy tackles him into the ground at Waverley Park in round four, 1985. It’s the only time in his career Flower plays fewer than double-figure matches in a season.

1986 – With injuries starting to take its toll, Flower had made the decision to retire at the end of the season, but coach John Northey convinced him to play on in 1987.

1987 – Flower caps off his magnificent career with a remarkable final season. With the club determined to give the club legend the opportunity to play in at least one final, Melbourne launches a player recruitment drive and campaign to ‘Please give Robbie Flower one last chance to play in a final’. The Demons land key interstate recruits Earl Spalding, Todd Viney and Warren Dean, which helps the club’s cause. Melbourne storms home to win its final five matches of the season, including a stunning win over Footscray at the Whitten Oval. When Hawthorn also overcame Geelong at Kardinia Park in the final round, Melbourne was into its first finals series since 1964. Flower’s first finals series was brilliant. Playing as a half-forward, he booted five goals against North Melbourne in the elimination final. Melbourne’s 118-point win remains the greatest winning margin in elimination finals – and the fifth greatest finals win in VFL/AFL history. Flower backed up his brilliant display the following week in the first semi-final, when he booted four goals against the Sydney Swans, as Melbourne won by 76 points. But it was Melbourne’s preliminary final loss after the siren – courtesy of a goal by Hawthorn great Gary Buckenara – that was most heartbreaking for Flower and the red and blue faithful. Still, had Melbourne progressed into the Grand Final, he may not have played, after suffering a shoulder injury, courtesy of a bone-jarring bump from Hawthorn Brownlow Medallist Robert DiPierdomenico. Although Flower returned to play in the last quarter, after undergoing painkilling injections, it would have been a mighty effort to have played in the Grand Final. He finished the season with 47 goals to top Melbourne’s goalkicking for the third time in his illustrious career. Flower finishes with 272 matches and 315 goals. He captains the club in 127 matches – a club record – until another Melbourne great David Neitz passes it and finishes with 175 matches from 1998-2008.

Post-career

1988 – Melbourne attempts to lure Flower into playing one more season. But he says his body can simply no longer stand the wear and tear of the game. The Demons reach their first Grand Final since 1964, but it turns out to be a miserable day, as Hawthorn thrashes them by a then record 96 points. That record is later overtaken by Geelong in 2007, when it smashes Port Adelaide in the Grand Final by 119 points.

1996 – Flower is named as an inaugural member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame for his outstanding career. As a proposed merger between Melbourne and Hawthorn is revealed, Flower, along with the likes of five-time premiership Melbourne Brian Dixon, is among the key club figures to oppose the proposed union.

1999 – He is named on the wing in the AFLPA team of the past 25 years.

2000 – Flower is named on the wing in the Melbourne team of the century.

2001 – The Melbourne great is diagnosed with prostate cancer.

2002 – Flower serves as a board member for Melbourne.

2003 – He is part of Garbriel Szondy’s Team Vision ticket. He receives the most votes with 10,529.

2004 – Flower is forces to step down from the board due to being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. 

2008 – He is named one of Melbourne’s 150 Heroes.

2014 – Flower tragically passes away aged 59 on October 2. The family issues a statement: “It is with the deepest regret that we wish to advise of the sudden passing of Robert Flower, after a brief, unexpected illness. The family is devastated by the sudden loss and would appreciate privacy at this time.” The loss of Flower is felt significantly throughout the AFL community, as he is universally regarded as – not only one of Melbourne’s finest – but one of the all-time greats.

Please leave your tributes to the late, great Robert Flower