Mitch Robinson set for Lauderdale homecoming for 2024 TSL season

Former AFL star Mitch Robinson has revealed the details of his homecoming to Lauderdale next season and why he chose to return home.

Former Brisbane and Carlton AFL player Mitch Robinson has signed on with his junior club Lauderdale for the 2024 TSL season. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Lauderdale have locked in favourite son Mitch Robinson for at least every TSL home game next season but the former AFL star wouldn’t be surprised if he winds up playing more.

The former Carlton and Brisbane hard nut was officially announced as the Bombers most recent signing on Wednesday night, returning to the club where he was drafted from back in 2008.

Lauderdale recruit Mitch Robinson will return to the club he was originally drafted from for the 2024 TSL season. Picture: Supplied.

A homecoming almost two years in the making, the 247-AFL-gamer said while he had signed onto play every match at SkyBus Oval – and finals should the Bombers qualify – he might end up pulling on the red and black far more than agreed upon.

“I’ve committed to every home game but I’ll probably get the bug when I get down there (to play more),” Robinson told The Mercury.

“I really want to play those home games to get the crowd there and I might even try and bring a couple of ex-AFL players down to sell the bar out.

“I’ll play every home game and hopefully finals but I’m a pretty excitable guy so it might change along the way.”

After he almost signed on to return to ‘The Tip’ this season following his AFL retirement, Robinson said he was coming home with two major goals in mind – get the Bombers back to finals and give back to the club that gave him his start.

“My main goal is to help get the team get back into finals,” he said.

Robinson will reunite with former Brisbane Lions teammate and current Lauderdale playing-coach Allen Christensen (pictured lying on the ground) in 2024. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

“The club is doing great on the recruiting front, with some ex-players coming back, and ‘Bundy’ (senior coach Allen Christensen) did so well with blooding a lot of young guys this season.

“It’s really exciting. I haven’t seen this kind of buzz around the club in a long time.”

With Lauderdale already signing fellow former AFL draftee Andrew Phillips and 2022 TSL Matthew Richardson Medalist Jordan Lane this off-season, many questions have been asked about how the Bombers are fitting so much star power under the TSL’s salary cap.

But Robinson was also quick to put to bed any rumours he would return to Lauderdale on a big pay packet.

“If I was coming back for money, I wouldn’t be playing at all. That’s for sure,” he said.

“It’s just for the love of the club and I’m sure I’ll do a RobVlogs (social video) and let everyone know what I’m on. It’s the last season of the TSL so it would be a great way to go out in winning a flag with Lauderdale.”

Fellow 2024 recruit Andrew Phillips with Lauderdale playing coach Allen Christensen. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Robinson’s return means the Bombers will now have five former AFL-listed players on their list for 2024 – Robinson, Phillips, Christensen, Sam Siggins and Josh McGuinness.

“I’m really excited to link back up with ‘Bundy’ but also Josh McGuinness,” Robinson said.

“When Josh was drafted he moved in with me and my family so we have a really strong connection. Sam (Siggins) is another one I have a strong relationship with and keen to play with him given his recent form.”

While the TSL fixture for next season won’t be released for months, Robinson said he was already looking forward to playing arch rivals Clarence and expected to spend plenty of time as a midfielder upon his return.