Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson retires after legendary career

After more than four decades in journalism, Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson is calling time on his legendary career, fulfilling his passion covering footy.

Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson is retiring. Photo by Michael Klein

The Herald Sun’s chief football reporter Mark “Robbo” Robinson is retiring after more than four decades in journalism. Robbo replaced Mike Sheahan as chief in 2012 and has set the AFL agenda in print, online and on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 since with his own unique style.

“Hey Robbo, what do you think about … ?”

It didn’t matter where he was, morning, noon or night, someone would inevitably want to know what Mark “Robbo” Robinson was thinking about their side.

Having a beer with Robbo was always an adventure simply because he was a magnet for all types whether it be the pensioner at the end of the bar, the stock broker from Collins St or the hairdresser from Frankston; they were all desperate to get his words of wisdom.

Most loved him, some wanted to stir him but they ended up being quickly won over when they realised no-one was more passionate about the game than the Herald Sun’s chief football writer.

But after four decades in newspapers, Robbo is tapping out, packing up his laptop and heading for the beach.

Robinson joined the Herald Sun in 1992. Picture: Hamish Blair

In 2012 he stepped up to fill the large shoes of Mike Sheahan as the Herald Sun’s main man and in true Robbo fashion, did it his own way.

He had his own unique style which everyone came to love on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 where one minute he would have people in stitches and the next they’d be in tears – that was one of his great traits.

People trusted Robbo because he was what he was, there were no pretences or hidden agendas. He wore his heart on his sleeve and had an incredible ability to get people talking often about the most uncomfortable subjects.

Nothing was off limits and while football clubs work overtime to try and sanitise their players nowadays, Robbo would get in front of them and find out things no-one knew about. It was his gift.

He rates the biggest stories he covered as Wayne Carey’s departure from North Melbourne, the Essendon supplements saga and Phil Walsh’s tragic death but there were plenty of other memorable interviews.

“I remember asking Graeme McMahon, the former Essendon president who was dying of cancer, to tell me what it’s like to know you’re going to die. That was full-on,” Robbo recalls.

“I remember speaking to Nick Riewoldt in his kitchen after his sister passed and we both cried several times.

“I’m amazed now how players don’t want to do interviews yet here I was in 2022 going fishing with Patrick Dangerfield two days before the Grand Final. That just shows it’s not that difficult.”

Robbo was a talented centre half-forward growing up in Bendigo playing for Sandhurst before moving to Melbourne where he played for West Preston in the Diamond Valley League and North Old Boys in the amateurs. (He also coached for two seasons at NOBs).

He loved analysing the game from every angle, was intrigued by how coaches worked and the strategy behind game day which he put into his own words every weekend through his popular The Tackle column.

What was obvious to football fans when they bailed him up was Robbo knew exactly what they were saying about their team. He was a footy junkie, he watched everything, eight games a week for 13 years as the chief writer because he knew to do the job right it had to be that way.

Robinson has been the Chief Football Writer since 2012. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

And he loved it.

“Mike Sheahan once told me when he became chief football writer, you have a responsibility to the newspaper but you also have a responsibility to the game,” Robbo said.

“Sometimes they clashed but mostly they were really, really good words to live by. I was lucky to only work in newspapers my entire professional life and the fact footy became a part of that newspaper passion made life doubly fortunate.

“I was really enthusiastic, very passionate about the game, not just the game but the people. I was fascinated by coaching and how you got the best out of people and just blown away by what the players can do in the game.

“Countless times I have been at the MCG on a Friday night or a Saturday afternoon and you think ‘Wow, what have I just watched’. I have really enjoyed just how big the game has become.”

Editor Sam Weir paid tribute to Robbo as the heart and soul of the Herald Sun.

“Robbo has been the standard that every other AFL reporter is measured against,” Weir said.

“His ability to consistently break the biggest stories, coupled with incredible analytical skills across print, digital and broadcast media is unrivalled.”

Issac Smith & Mark Robinson after the 2015 grand final. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Robbo’s journalism journey started in 1985 as a copy boy at the Bendigo Advertiser where he then started a cadetship. He then moved to Europe where he spent 18 months at the Yorkshire Post before taking a 12-month break to go backpacking around the world.

In August 1992 he got a job as a sub editor on the Herald Sun news desk before moving to sport where he worked as a sub, PM edition sports editor, deputy sports editor and acting sports editor.

Then in 1996 the sports editor Phil Gardner said to him: “Why don’t you start writing?”

Now 29 years later after a career where there was never a dull moment and a stack of awards in the pool room, Robbo is putting his pen away. He’s healthy, happy, and looking forward to the next chapter although he understands one thing which won’t change.

“Hey Robbo, what do you think about … ?”

Originally published as Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson retires after legendary career