Our Journalists

Mark RobinsonChief Football Writer

Mark Robinson is News Corp’s and CODE Sports chief football writer. He has covered AFL in Melbourne for the Herald Sun for 25 years. Robbo is an award-winning journalist and an institution in Melbourne with his hard-hitting columns, analysis and news breaking in the AFL space. He has reported on coaches coming and going and players reaching the greatest heights. He is also a founding co-host of Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

@Robbo_heraldsun

Mark Robinson

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AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Mitch Lewis of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 02 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hawks, families in stalemate over racism saga reconciliation

A 21-day extension to engage in reconciliation is nearly at an end, with a stalemate looming over the talks. MARK ROBINSON has the details.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Zak Butters of the Power celebrates the final siren during the round five AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval, on April 13, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

The Tackle: Butters had to be sanctioned for Dockers hit

Zak Butters escaped a suspension for his high hit on Freo’s Bailey Banfield, but a critical question is yet to be asked, why didn’t Freo get a free kick late? LIKES and DISLIKES from round 5.

AFL

Mark Robinson on how coaching has changed

Robbo: From ruthless sprays to computers and cuddles

Today’s coaches’ box is a computer convention, writes Mark Robinson. Long gone are the days of personal abuse and player tears. Here’s how, what and who changed over the years.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 5: Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos during the round four AFL match between Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne Kangaroos at Norwood Oval, on April 5, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Robbo: Finlayson had to go — and so did Clarkson

Jeremy Finlayson accepted a three-week ban for his use of homophobic language, but Alastair Clarkson escaped suspension earlier in the year. MARK ROBINSON says Clarko had to go too.

AFL

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Jacob Weitering of the Blues and Michael Voss, Senior Coach of the Blues celebrate during the 2024 AFL Round 04 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on April 06, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Tackle: Why Blues and Cats aren’t afraid of losing clearances

The Blues and Cats are sitting 17th and 18th in clearance numbers across the league, but there’s one factor which shows it doesn’t matter. MARK ROBINSON names his likes and dislikes from Gather Round.

AFL News

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Dustin Martin of the Tigers is seen during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on April 05, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Dusty’s camp shoots down fake news on retirement

There was a rumour floating around on Monday night that Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was ready to hang up the boots – Mark Robinson has the truth.

AFL

Jeremy Finlayson has issued an apology for a homophobic slur aimed at an Essendon player at this weekends Gather Round game . Picture: PAFC

Robbo: The AFL must suspend Finlayson for gay slur

The AFL was too forgiving with Alastair Clarkson’s conduct in pre-season, now it’s time to put a stop to the warnings and the excuses and suspend Jeremy Finlayson, writes Mark Robinson.

AFL

Chris Judd, Peter McKenna and Simon Madden have their say on modern footy

Robbo: What do footy’s greats think of the modern AFL?

The AFL has tried a lot of different things lately, but have they worked? Mark Robinson asks legends of the past five decades what they think of the modern game and schedule.

AFL

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Eric Hipwood of the Lions kicks the ball during the 2024 AFL Round 01 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on March 17, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Robbo: Is Hipwood a flat track bully?

Eric Hipwood is a 26-year-old key forward on a monster contract, but incredibly out of form. MARK ROBINSON details how Lions coach Chris Fagan should handle his talisman amid a disastrous start to the season.

AFL

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Incoming CEO Andrew Dillon and Richard Goyder, Chairman of the AFL speak with media during the AFL CEO Announcement at Marvel Stadium on May 01, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Former ASADA boss lauds AFL’s ‘in-house’ tests for saving lives

The AFL’s illicit drugs policy is under a microscope like never before, but amid plenty of criticism, the former head of ASADA believes the policy has done its job, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/mark-robinson/page/13