Hard nosed tag sits well with Robinson after Hall of Fame induction

He racked up nearly 250 AFL games and won a best and fairest, but Mitch Robinson is content with the hard nosed competitor tag he’ll be remembered for after being inducted into Tasmanian Football’s Hall of Fame.

Mitch Robinson has been inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING

He played nearly 250 games at two different clubs, and won a best and fairest in the process.

But ask Mitch Robinson how the tag of hard-nosed competitor’ sits with him after being inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame, and he’s proud of the moniker.

“It sits very well with me. I grew up in Lauderdale and that’s how I was told to play footy, dad said put your head over the ball and you’ll get rewarded,” Robinson said.

“I was 15 playing seniors and getting bashed up by grown men, and you learn that brand of footy.

“If that’s the tag I get I’m more than happy with that. I wore my heart on my sleeve on the field and used to stick up for teammates.

“All I wanted them to say was they loved to go to battle with me, that’s the way I like football and I think I did that on most occasions.

“If I’m remembered for that it’s a pat on the back for me.”

Robinson played his role very well, headlined by pressure and effort, but he was more than a role player.

Taken by Carlton with pick 40 in the 2008 draft, he played exactly 100 games for the Blues before adding another 147 with Brisbane Lions in a 14-season career.

Burning with desire to get his football, and life, back on track after he was cut by Carlton after the 2014 season, he responded by winning the Lions best and fairest in 2015, and finished second a year later.

“Coming to the Lions I had a lot to prove. It was well documented I had some mental troubles and my AFL game wasn’t up to AFL standards,” he said.

“When Carlton got rid of me it was a real eye opener that footy doesn’t last forever.

“When I couldn’t provide for my family for a couple of months, and didn't’ know if I was going to get another go, I basically changed everything in my life and that was for the best.

“I told my Mum and Dad I was ready to get stuck in and make everyone proud. As a Tasmanian you’re very close to your family and I felt like I let them down when I got cut, so when I got up here I wanted to make sure I did everything right and repay the club as well.”

Robinson said the opportunity to run out with his young family for milestone games was the memory he’ll remember most.

Emma MacNeill and Mitch Robinson from the Brisbane Lions with Charli Robinson, 6, Chance Robinson, 8, and Maali Robinson, 2weeks with their trackpants for Tracky Dack Day, Brisbane 27th of May 2022. (Image/Josh Woning)

I’d probably say running out with my kids in the big games. That stands out in my mind,” he said.

“The ones I cherish is when I got to do it with my kids and my partner.

“The first person I called (after hearing of my Hall of Fame induction) was my dad. We used to talk about the Devls and playing as many games as I could when I got drafted into the AFL, but to call myself a Hall of Famer in Tasmanian football I’ll cherish forever and hopefully my kids are proud of it one day.

“I’m very passionate about Tasmania and to be able to call myself a Hall of Famer is a whole other experience.”

Robinson said heading to Brisbane and getting out of the Melbourne football ‘bubble’ was a big move in his career.

“I came from Lauderdale where I used to get paid $50 a game, put it back over the bar, go to a few nightclubs in Hobart and get into a few scraps,” he said.

“Then going into AFL system where you do urine tests each morning to test your hydration levels, you have to weigh in and do weights all day, be on time for every meeting, I really struggled with that facet.

“Once you know what you want to do in football, that’s when you can change your life. It took me about six years to work that out.”

Robinson plans to use his life and football experience to help out young players as he takes steps to secure his player agent license.

“I feel like I’ve been through the highs and lows of AFL, and took on that father figure role at the Lions, that’s something I’m really passionate about,” he said.

Robinson is also passionate about Tasmania winning the AFL’s 19th license and urged the public to get unite behind the push for Hobart’s new stadium.

“When it as announced I was so proud of the state and everyone who got behind it,” he said. “I hope everyone can buy into this and make it something special

I don’t understand what the big fuss is about. I know we have this stigma around Tasmania that it’s boring and nothing going on, this is an opportunity to bring something to the state. “You can have concerts and other things at that venue, it’s confusing for me for people to be opposed to it.”

Robinson was one of three new Hall of Famers confirmed on Tuesday, with all 11 to be unveiled at a gala dinner on July 21.

William Henry Cundy, regarded by many as the father of football, filled playing and administrative roles.

He captained Railway to four TFL premierships between 1881 and 1887, served as their president for nearly a decade and captained the first South Tasmanian and All-Tasmanian teams ever assembled.

Charles Eady was a player and administrator for more than 50 years, he captained Holebrook to the 1890 TFL flag and was TFL president for two tenures (1900-08, 1925-41).