Robinson backs past finals heartbreak to drive Lions to grand final glory

He came agonisingly close to a grand final berth many times as a Lion, but Mitch Robinson is rapt his mates finally get a chance on the big stage - led by a fellow Tassie favourite son.

Mitch Robinson celebrates after a Brisbane win in 2021. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Former Brisbane Lion Mitch Robinson has praised fellow Tasmanian Chris Fagan as a “father figure” who deserves his long-awaited shot at a grand final after helping turn the club around.

And the Lauderdale product confirmed he will weigh up a potential TSL swan song with the Bombers next season once his football commitments are finished up north.

Robinson played 247 games with Carlton and the Lions, retiring at the end of last season after Brisbane repeatedly fell just short of making a grand final.

They lost last year’s preliminary final to Geelong, which Robinson was dropped for, and made the top four the previous three years, including another prelim in 2020.

That barrier was finally broken down when the Lions beat the Blues, whom Robinson played exactly 100 games for, in last week’s preliminary final.

Fagan took over at the Lions in 2017, and the team won just five games in each of his first two seasons before blossoming into a powerhouse, which will shoot for a third grand final win over the Magpies.

But his overall sentiment is he’s rapt his former teammates will finally get their chance on the biggest stage.

“The vibe in the rooms after the game on the weekend was something I’ve only experienced a few times, the last time was against Richmond last year (after elimination final win, Robinson’s final game),” he said.

“To be in that inner sanctum for the last eight or nine years and to seem them get what they’ve been working for, it’s an emotional week and hopefully they can get the job done against the Pies.”

Robinson, inducted into the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, admitted it’s hard not to wish he was running out with the side this Saturday after so many near misses.

“Obviously you’re going to have those mixed emotions, but I sat back and had a think about it in the dressing sheds after the game (against Carlton),” he said.

Former Brisbane Lion Mitch Robinson hugs Lions player Cam Rayner after Saturday’s preliminary final win over Carlton. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Of course you’d love to play in a grand final, especially in a 14-year career and when we were so close so many times, but it’ just the way footy is.

“You can’t think about those kind of moments, I’m still close to a lot of the boys there and I’m happy for them.

“I had a very good career and I was there in the dark times when they weren’t winning many games and we were building a culture, that’s something I’ll treasure for a long time.”

Robinson said Fagan, who at 62 will become the oldest grand final coach in AFL history, deserves credit for the overhaul.

“He’s definitely changed that club for the better. When he came there with David Noble, another Tassie guy, they definitely changed the standards at the Lions and made it a destination club,” Robinson said.

“They’re definitely up there with the greatest Tassie people to be involved in the AFL system.

“He’s got that teaching background, can communicate with players and build those relationships from the start.

Mitch Robinson with fellow Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame inductee Rickie Dolliver earlier this year. Picture: Linda Higginson / AFL Tasmania

“He’s a father figure at the club and even though he’s 60 or 70 years old, he can talk to all the players.

“He’d find positives even in big losses, he kept us on the journey and to trust the process.”

Robinson, who plays for QAFL side Morningside, said he would make a decision on whether he signs for a TSL swan song with Lauderdale next season after his football commitments with Darwin Buffaloes are over.

Bombers coach Allen Christensen confirmed last week they were in talks to lure the 34-year-old home.

“I’ve been talking to those guys for a couple of years now,” Robinson said.

“I nearly signed on the dotted line at the start of this year, but decided I wanted to stay in Brisbane for the kids for one more year.

“I’ve been talking to the club, if it makes sense I’ll come down and play. I’d love to play a last season of TSL.

“Once the footy season is done up here... I’ll play in Darwin for a bit and then figure all that out.”