BOB DAVIS was a regular and welcome visitor to the offices of the AFL Record through his latter years. He was a breath of fresh air, even though he would generally arrive on deadline, and regale us with tales of his long, and fortunate life in football, while never forgetting his family.

To me, he was a life model - not that I knew him well beyond our common interest in the AFL - as someone who sought the best of life, offered the best of life, and enjoyed both receiving and the giving.

In 2001, the AFL Record's Grand Final edition celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the magnificent Geelong team of 1951-52, a team that set a record winning streak, and it was Bob who corralled all his mates into the Geelong Social Club to reminisce.

It's safe to say they needed no coaching. During the multiple conversations going on all around them, writers Michael Lovett and Ben Collins grabbed these words from Bob: "If you've played in a premiership team there is a very special bond. Not many people play in premierships and we were very lucky that we had three years of almost constant victories. No matter if you play football to the year 10,000, no one can ever take it from you that you played in a premiership team."

For the next two months Bob was a regular in the office, picking up a copy of the Record for "Troubles" (Fred Flanagan) and "Hooker" (Russell Renfrey). We reckon he picked up 30 gratis copies over that period.

We loved his visits. Every time he waltzed in, I (the only person in the office to be at the MCG in 1963, when Bob coached Geelong to beat my Hawthorn) took the floor to announce: "Bobby, you'll be Geelong's only living premiership coach until you die."

Happily for Bob - who celebrated joyously when his reign ended in 2007, and presented the 2009 Premiership Cup to Tom Harley and Mark Thompson - such was not to be.

Sadly, he has moved to the next life, no doubt organising reunions, causing mayhem, and bringing joy to all. Whatever, his legacy will not be forgotten - he gave to football, he gave to media, he gave to club, and he gave to family. A nice mix, truly a life model.

Geoff Slattery, Managing Editor, AFL Record