Flower leaves massive AFL legacy

Less than three weeks after Jim Stynes’ statue was unveiled outside the MCG, the AFL is again mourning the premature death of a Melbourne great.

Robert Flower, an iconic Demons player and one of the most admired figures in AFL history, has died suddenly aged 59.

It is only two years since Stynes, 45, died of cancer.

Like the Irish Brownlow Medallist, Flower started his career as an unlikely top-level footballer and went on to become one of the best.

When he joined Melbourne in the early 1970s, Flower was a thin kid who weighed just 68kg and wore thick spectacles.

It appeared as if far bigger, meaner opponents in the then-VFL would soon snap him in two.

Flower never added much to his physique but the size of his heart, combined with sublime pace and skill, meant he became a star.

A lifelong Melbourne fan, Flower made his senior debut for the club in 1973 – only a year after joining.

He would play 272 games for the Demons, then a club record.

Flower was a rare ray of light for Melbourne fans in a bleak era when they were never finals contenders.

At the height of his career, Flower was the Demons.

Melbourne’s much loved No.2 was one of the top wingmen in his heyday and also played with aplomb on either a half-forward or half-back flank.

He topped the Demons’ goalkicking three times and twice finished third in the Brownlow Medal.

Flower captained the club from 1981 until his retirement in ’87 and also led Victoria three times.

Everyone, no matter which team they followed, admired Flower.

He was renowned for being a clean ball player and was never reported.

In Flower’s last season, the Demons made the finals for the only time in his career.

Flower’s last game was one of the most iconic matches in AFL history – the heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Hawthorn at Waverley Park.

A young, inexperienced Stynes accidentally ran across the mark, giving Gary Buckenara a crucial 15m penalty for his shot at goal after the final siren.

Buckenara duly kicked the winning goal.

Years later, Flower revealed he threw a can of drink against the wall in the changerooms post-match.

That was noteworthy in itself, because to the best of everyone’s knowledge Flower had never lost his temper playing the game.

In retirement, Flower became a Demons board member and was an advocate for men’s health after he survived a bout of prostate cancer.

Flower had heart surgery earlier this year and it was reported on Thursday night that this contributed to his sudden death.

ROBERT FLOWER
* DOB: 5/8/55
* 272 games for Melbourne 1973-87, 315 goals
* Melbourne captain 1981-87
* 15 games for Victoria, three as captain
* International Rules v Ireland, 1984
* Three-time Melbourne leading goalkicker
* AFL Hall Of Fame inductee
* Named on the wing in Melbourne’s team of the century