Brisbane stalwart Mitch Robinson has taken to social media to announce his time at the club has ended, taking a parting shot at coach Chris Fagan in the process.
Robinson, who played 147 of his 247 AFL games with the Lions after being signed as a delisted free agent from Carlton in 2014, was dropped after their thrilling elimination final win over Brisbane, and couldn’t break back into the team.
In an emotional Instagram post, the 33-year old paid tribute to the fans and the Lions, saying it was an ‘absolute privilege’ to represent the club – but took issue with Fagan preventing a public retirement announcement.
Devastated Fages wouldn’t allow me to announce this in person to the supporters and my team mates, but I guess that’s footy…” Robinson wrote.
“It’s been an absolute privilege pulling on the Fitzroy and Lions jumper!
“Thank you all for the last 8 years, I’ll never forget the love you all showed me, Emma and my kids.
“I left it all out there every single game, I love you all.”
Robinson’s career appeared at the crossroads when a series of off-field incidents saw him delisted by Carlton at the end of 2014; but he made the most of a Lions lifeline to become one of the league’s fiercest competitors.
The tough nut won the Lions’ best and fairest in his first season at the club – a joint winner alongside teammates Dayne Zorko, Dayne Beams and Stefan Martin – and was part of the group that rose from nowhere to the top four for the 20119 season.
He watched on as the Lions’ season was ended with a crushing 71-point loss to Geelong in Friday night’s preliminary final.
However, Robinson hasn’t officially retired, opening the door for a rival club to once again sign him as a delisted free agent this off-season.
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Guest
Malthouse Carlton appointment was actually a clever and successful conspiracy - orchestrated by C'wood FC and Richmond FC - to undermine the best and most successful VFL/AFL club.
RT
Roar Rookie
Second highest.
23rd best player
Roar Rookie
Wow ease up turbo. Highest scoring team in the league and you want to sack the forward line? Brisbane simply got outplayed by a better team in Geelong. I think Fagan needs to just tweak the gamestyle to implement a bit more defence. Add in some fresh guns through the upcoming draft and brisbane will be right in the thick of things next year. I don't want to put too much pressure on ashcroft, but if he doesn't have a brownlow, normsmith, coleman, mvp, all aus captaincy by the end of 2023, put him on the chopping block its an outrage
Wayne Kerr
Guest
Absolutely correct. The same has happened to our AFLW side under Munro.
Wayne Kerr
Guest
:thumbup:
RT
Roar Rookie
He should have gone to a club that could have helped him win a Premiership or two. Like Tom Lynch did.
robertbrob13226
Roar Rookie
Well done Mitch , now it’s up to u Fagan to move a few more of your finals non performers out the door you,ve had plenty of games to know who they are not including ,Big Joe $800 k ,Hipwood $700 k ,MaCarthy ? ,and Fagan this is your last year
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Sticks Kernahan and Greg Swann have much to answer for with that appointment of Malthouse. Sticks is the second worst president we have had. Only Big Jack has been worse.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Malthouse killed Robinson at the Blues, he is on record saying he sat in his car trying to get the motivation to go into training under Malthouse. I still say losing Betts was terrible for Robinson, Garlett and Yarran - he kept them balanced
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Geez Carlton were awful at player/people management back in the Ratten/Malthouse years. Lost so many good players leading to those dark days of the Bolton era from which we’ve only just started to recover.
Bruce Vartan
Guest
Thanks Mitch, you did leave it all on the field. You were the heart and soul of the club for 147 games. Just to hear the roar of the crowd when your name came up on the board before each home game, always the loudest roar. Good luck with your future.