Top AFL pundit Mark Robinson was given a lukewarm tribute that saw him called a ‘polarising figure’ who is hated by sections of the footy world just after he announced he’s retiring aged 57.
Known to fans, players and the rest of the AFL community as ‘Robbo’, the celebrated and outspoken reporter and commentator has called time on a storied career that stretched across almost four decades.
Tributes have been paid to the Herald Sun’s chief football writer, who according to colleague Scott Gullan, ‘wore his heart on his sleeve’ and ‘has an incredible ability to get people talking often about the most uncomfortable subjects’.
Another of Robinson’s fellow footy scribes, Jon Ralph, called him ‘a brilliant journo not afraid to tackle the game’s biggest topics through covid, the Hawks racism drama and the Dons saga [Essendon drugs scandal]. Rarely or ever took a backwards step. Will be sorely missed.’
But 3AW radio presenter Matt Grantland took a different tack when he told his listeners about Robinson’s decision on Thursday.
‘He is a polarising figure, there’s no doubt about that,’ Grantland said.
Mark Robinson’s skills as a journalist and footy expert have been hailed in a series of tributes after he announced his retirement on Thursday
But one former colleague of his recalled him as a hard-hitting reporter who got people offside with his ‘strong opinions’
‘A lot of people love him, some don’t love him at all, but that’s what happens when you have strong opinions about things.
‘I’ve been lucky enough to work with Robbo over a number of years, first at SEN and then here at 3AW. Always found him to be honest and genuine, and when you work in an industry like this a lot of people will say, “What’s this person like?” … and with Robbo, what you see is what you get.’
Robinson leaves the spotlight as one of Australia’s best sports reporters after stepping up to fill the role of chief football reporter in 2012, taking over from the legendary Mike Sheahan.
He covered some of the biggest stories in the sport from Wayne Carey’s North Melbourne exit, to the Essendon supplements saga – but his departure from his high-profile role on the Fox Sports show AFL360 appeared to have been unceremonious.
Last October, Robinson did not appear for one final AFL360 show, with his co-host Gerard Whateley announcing that his long-standing co-host would not be returning.
Robinson, known for his dry sense of humour and exceptional interviewing skills, would later break his silence on the matter.
Last year, Robinson (pictured with co-host Gerard Whateley) was a no-show on Fox’s AFL360 in October last year when he learned he’d been axed from the program
‘Wow, what can I say? I enjoyed it for 14 years, it was great, and I loved it. [It] changed my life,’ he told RSN’s Breakfast with Harf.
‘But the decision was made last week that I was no longer required on this show.
‘Got told last Tuesday by Steve Crawley [Fox Sports head of television] that changes would be made, and unfortunately I’m the change.
‘It was pretty tough doing the shows last week, actually.
‘Not that I was depressed or anything — I thought I might say something or act in a way that I might regret. So a sign of maturity. I just said: “I’m not coming in”. Yeah, I didn’t go in.’
