AFL star and hall of famer Mitch Robinson on Tasmanian team, Macquarie Point stadium

AFL star Mitch Robinson would have left Carlton and Brisbane “in a heartbeat” to play for Tasmania and says the atmosphere inside a roofed Macquarie Point stadium will be “unbelievable”.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 14: Mitch Robinson of the Lions handles the ball during the round five AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Magpies at The Gabba on April 14, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

AFL star Mitch Robinson would have left Carlton and Brisbane “in a heartbeat” to play for Tasmania and says the atmosphere inside a roofed Macquarie Point stadium will be “unbelievable”.

The recently-retired Blues and Lions midfielder and freshly-minted member of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame told of how emotional he was on the day Tasmania was granted the AFL’s 19th licence.

Speaking at his HOF induction at Wrest Point on Friday night, the powerhouse veteran of 247 AFL games and 129 goals brought down the house when he told decision-makers “stop being stupid” and get moving on the Macquarie Point.

Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame at Wrest Point Casino on Friday 21st July. Inductees Rickie Dolliver and Mitch Robinson. Picture: Linda Higginson / AFL Tasmania

“It was one of the best days as a Tasmanian when we got our own team,” Robinson said.

“I was a bit teary-eyed.

“If I’d had the chance to play for a Tassie team I would have left Carlton and Brisbane in a heartbeat and come back home to play.

“I’ve got the map of Tassie tattooed on my body. I’m very passionate about this great state.

“If everyone could just vote yes and stop being stupid, I think it would be great for the state to have the stadium down here.”

Robinson will be in the crowd on the day, or night, Tasmania debuts at Mac Point.

“It will be the loudest thing going round, a stadium full of Tasmanians. It will be unbelievable,” he said.

“It will be amazing to have that place to go to and know the team will come out and give it their best.

“It means a lot to Tasmanians and especially for the sporting culture down here to have a team in the AFL and a stadium.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 02: Mitch Robinson of the Lions and Chris Fagan, Senior Coach of the Lions celebrate during the 2020 AFL Second Qualifying Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Richmond Tigers at The Gabba on October 02, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Robinson, 34, who grew up at Lauderdale and came through the Tassie Mariners [now Devils] program, was one of 11 former players inducted into the first HOF fame ceremony in five years.

The other 10 were Max Hardacre, Phil Stephens, Bob Wilson, Simon Wiggins, Ricky Dolliver, Robert Dutton, Kent Abey and Simon Wiggins.

Robert “Tassie” Johnson became the 22nd Icon in the Tasmanian HOF.

The North Launceston forward (1956-57) was recruited to Melbourne by coach Norm Smith and became an elite key defender in the Demons’ 1959-60-64 premiership teams, and later captained the Dees in his final season in 1969.

“Tassie” was named fullback both Melbourne and Tasmania’s Teams of the Century, as well as being in Melbourne’s Hall of Fame.

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan was one of three Hall of Famers elevated to Legend status, along with former City (TFA) and Melbourne rover and winner of the Champion of the Colony award in 1897 (the unofficial precursor to the Brownlow Medal) Fred McGinis, and former Sandy Bay, Clarence and state back-pocket Des James.

On a prerecorded message, Fagan said it had come as a “great surprise” to be considered a legend.

“I was surprised to get put into the Hall of Fame in the first place so to be upgraded to a Legend is a great honour,” Fagan said.

“It’s the biggest honour I’ve had in football.

“I’m passionate about Tasmania and football in Tasmania so to go on that list with a lot of other people who are famous in football is an exciting moment in my life.

“My brother Grant is also a member of the hall of fame, and I’ve gone one better, so I’m pretty happy about that.”

Grant Fagan accepted the award for Chris, who is considered a possible future coach of Tasmania’s AFL team.

“Whether or not he ends up in a position back here, who knows, but he is certainly passionate about it,” Grant said.

“I crossed the bridge today and the three cars in front of me all had ‘Yes Team Yes Stadium’ stickers, so it’s starting to get out there and Chris is right behind it.”