Brisbane Lion roasted over topless AFL incident against Collingwood

Brisbane Lions youngster Deven Robertson had his shirt ripped off against Collingwood and his response had tongues wagging.

Deven Robertson in action for the Brisbane Lions on Friday night. Photo: Fox Footy

Young Brisbane midfielder Deven Robertson has had a stop-start journey so far in his AFL career and is off contract at the end of 2023.

But he will now be known for something very different and has surely picked up a load of new nicknames in the process.

Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

Pick 22 in the 2019 national draft, Robertson has played a total of 37 games over four seasons with the Lions, including all three finals in 2022 as Brisbane finished one game short of the grand final.

He will now also be remembered for a moment in game No. 37 that had everyone talking.

After Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard tried to pull Robertson out of a contest in Friday night’s huge clash at Marvel Stadium, the Lions midfielder’s jumper was in tatters, hanging only around his neck.

When he was then gang tackled by a number of Pies in the next piece of play, he threw the remains of the jumper away in disgust.

It’s his actions from that point on, however, that got commentators and social media talking.

Deven Robertson in action for the Brisbane Lions on Friday night. Photo: Fox Footy

“The jumper’s gone. Look at this,” former Collingwood full forward Brian Taylor said on Fox Footy.

“We’ve got a top-end nude out there in Robertson and he is loving it.

“He’s almost flexing. There it is, the ramifications of the Maynard tackle.

“The runner can’t wait to get out there but he can’t run out until a goal is kicked.

“And (Robertson) doesn’t want to come to the bench. I have never seen someone enjoy this so much as Deven Robertson is right now.”

Robertson throws his ripped jumper away in anger. Photo: Fox Footy

It seemed an eternity while Robertson was strutting around without a shirt.

The Brisbane runner finally caught up with him during a stoppage and Robertson then couldn’t resist a look at the big screen while he was putting the fresh jumper on.

“Finally, I wonder whether he will reject the jumper as it comes towards him,” Taylor quipped.

“Look at that, he’s looking up at the big screen as well,” Hawthorn great Luke Hodge added.

“Self-admiration,” Taylor could be heard muttering.

Robertson appears to take a quick look at the big screen while getting dressed. Photo: Fox Footy

The response was swift on social media, with a vast number of users on X - formerly Twitter - stating their admiration for the 22-year-old’s physique.

Another made reference to a famous Simpsons episode when she wrote: “Stupid sexy Deven Robertson.”

Someone also compared it to a moment involving retired Lion Mitch Robinson, who threw his mouthguard in anger during a game in 2020.

What's funnier mitch 'robbo' Robinson throwing the mouth guard or Devon 'the rig' Robertson throwing the guernsey... I think the rig takes the chocolates#afl#pieslions

— Macca (@Riley7Mcinerney) August 18, 2023

Stupid sexy Devon Robertson

— Rach Danderfield 💙🤍🏆 (@danderfield) August 18, 2023

Devon Robertson was secretly gutted he got given his other jersey.

😂#AFLPiesLions

— RFC Centre (@RFC_Centre) August 18, 2023

My timeline is just full of Devon Robertson jumperless photos and I tell you, I'm not complaining

— Sez (@sezlloydy) August 18, 2023

Devon Robertson was very disappointed when told to put his jumper on after having it ripped. I would too if I was in that good a nick. #AFLPiesLions

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) August 18, 2023

Robertson, who received a Rising Star nomination back in 2021, has had trouble cementing his place in the Lions midfield.

He blossomed in last year’s finals, handed run-with roles with the likes of Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.

The Perth product was again in and out of the side this season, but injuries to the likes of Will Ashcroft opened up opportunities back in the side.

Friday night was also a huge opportunity for the Lions, knowing a win over an injury-depleted Collingwood would move them a step closer to two home finals.

For those watching #AFLPiesLions, the shirtless player
has happened before. pic.twitter.com/I84nAoSOf7

— Rhett Bartlett (@rhettrospective) August 18, 2023

Brisbane held sway for most of the evening, eventually recording a four-goal win, 19.10 (124) to 15.10 (100).

But Robertson had become a talking point of his own.

Richmond historian Rhett Bartlett, who is the son of Tigers great Kevin Bartlett, pointed out Robertson was not the first shirtless player in an AFL game.

Bartlett dug out footage of topless Carlton defender Bruce Doull lining up on Swans forward Warwick Capper from the 1980s.

“At junior footy tomorrow, all the kids will be ripping their jumpers off,” Taylor suggested.

“They only get one for the season,” was James Brayshaw’s quick reply.

Originally published as Brisbane Lion roasted over topless AFL incident against Collingwood