Gold Coast Dolphins great Andrew Robinson discusses comeback with club’s third grade side

GOLD Coast Dolphins legend Andrew Robinson discusses his third grade comeback as the club’s first grade side took control at lunch on day two of its clash with Souths in Brisbane.

GOLD Coast Dolphins legend Andrew Robinson hopes to impart his vast knowledge on the club’s rising talent in his cricket comeback and on Saturday he got an immediate chance.

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Playing his first game for the Dolphins since 2015-16, the 38-year-old made a “scratchy” 45 from 57 balls in third grade but it was not enough to steer his side to victory against Wests.

Chasing 193 for victory at Robina’s Cheltenham Oval, the hosts were bowled out for 185 in the last over after recovering from 7-121 and 8-147.

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While Robinson, a 12-game Sheffield Shield player for Queensland and the only Dolphins batsman to pass 10,000 first grade runs, remains a week-to-week selection proposition, he said being involved in Saturday’s run chase had already made his return worthwhile.

Andrew Robinson in action for the Dolphins in 2015. Picture: Jerad Williams

“That’s a massive thing (about my return). With such a young club there’s not a lot of experienced guys around the group so if I can provide a bit of experience and guidance hopefully that’s going to help them moving forward,” Robinson, who has also taken on an assistant coaching role with the Dolphins this season, said.

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“It was good fun (on Saturday), it’s a young group so it was a bit of a different environment. I actually got to play with a couple of guys (Kane Hurley and Jared Spies) that I played with at Coomera so after being at that club for a couple of years (in 2016-17 and 2017-18) it was good to have a game with them.

Robinson at Bill Pippen Oval last year. Picture: Richard Gosling

“We were down a couple of numbers and it was a home game, and I’ve had a bit of an itch I was looking to scratch and then Swanny (coach Chris Swan) asked if I would have a game to help out.

“It just worked out so I thought ‘why not?’. But moving forward I don’t know (about playing), I’ll just take it week-to-week and see what the availabilities are like.

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“If they’re short of numbers I’m happy to rock up and play wherever they need me.”

In first grade, the Dolphins are in a strong position against Souths at lunch on day two, with Max Bryant (79 not out) and Liam Hope-Shackley (85 not out) steering the visitors to 2-174 chasing 273 for victory.