Australian Football Hall of Fame Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick today said the death of former Melbourne player Robert Flower was a tremendous shock to his family, his many friends, playing colleagues and the wider football community.

Flower, 59, passed away in Melbourne last night and Fitzpatrick said his too-early loss was a great blow to all who known him, along with those who had competed against him or simply admired him from afar. 

“On behalf of the Australian Football Hall of Fame and the AFL Commission, I wish to pass on my sincere condolences to Robert’s family and friends,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

"Australian Football and the Melbourne Football Club was the richer for having had Robert Flower grace our game with his skills.

“More importantly, Robert was an outstanding individual who epitomised so many of the qualities that we laud in our greats and that we wish for ourselves – dignity, humility, loyalty and strength of character.

“Robert was a greatly respected opponent on the field and revered among those who represented Melbourne. Robert constantly sought to guide his club through many lean years, and never once thought that anything other than the Red and Blue would be his home.

“His greatness on the field is measured by the fact, from all who have played our game in more than 150 years, he was one of the inaugural 136 inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame when it was opened in 1996.

"Beyond his wonderful skills and his courage, Flower was a man apart from many players for his wonderful humility, and football was privileged that Robert Flower played our game. "

Flower was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996. His record was:

Robert Flower 

Played 272 games for Melbourne 1973-87, kicking 315 goals.

Played 15 games for Victoria, kicking 18 goals.

Melbourne Best and Fairest 1977.

Melbourne leading goalkicker 1979, 1983, 1987.

Melbourne captain 1981-87.

All Australian 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984.

Melbourne Team of the Century (wing).