AFL great Robbie Flower has died aged 59.
Melbourne on Thursday night released a statement from Flower's family.
"It is with the deepest regret that we wish to advise of the sudden passing of Robert Flower, after a brief, unexpected illness," the statement read.
The family is devastated by the sudden loss and would appreciate privacy at this time.
Flower is one of the most popular figures in the Demons' history.
The superbly-skilled wingman played 272 games for Melbourne from 1973 to '87, then a club record.
He captained the club from '81 until his retirement.
Flower is a member of Melbourne's team of the century and was inducted into the AFL Hall Of Fame.
He played 15 games for Victoria, three times as captain, immediately before the then-VFL became the national AFL.
Commentator Garry Lyon, who played alongside Flower and is also a former Demons captain, said his old teammate died suddenly on Thursday afternoon.
Lyon said Flower died from complications after undergoing heart surgery earlier this year.
"Robbie Flower was the Melbourne footy club, the biggest name in the oldest football club in the world," Lyon said on Channel Nine.
"More than a footballer, he will be missed as a father, husband, brother and a friend.
"The football world has lost one of the great ones."
Melbourne also released a club statement paying tribute to Flower, saying he was a much-loved favourite son of the Demons.
"A brilliantly skilful and majestic wingman, Flower also played across half-back and half-forward in a decorated career," the club said.
"Rob captured the hearts of every Melbourne supporter."
Flower won Melbourne's best and fairest in 1977, topped their goalkicking three times and twice finished third in the Brownlow Medal.
He was a standout for the Demons in a bleak era for the club and famously did not play in a final until his last season.
His career ended with the famous preliminary final loss to Hawthorn, when Gary Buckenara kicked the winning goal after the final siren.
Flower's Irish teammate Jim Stynes accidentally ran across the mark, giving Buckenara a crucial 15m penalty.
It is one of the most iconic incidents in the game's history.
Flower revealed years later in this autobiography that he was furious after the match and threw a can of drink against the changeroom wall.
This itself was noteworthy because Flower had an unblemished career and was renowned for being a ball player.
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