Legendary footy broadcaster and journalist Mark Robinson has announced he is retiring.
It comes after he was sacked by Fox Footy from his role on AFL 360 back in October.
The 57-year-old said the decision had been made by Fox powerbrokers claiming he was ‘no longer required’ on the legendary show, having starred alongside Gerard Whateley for 14 years.
But on Thursday afternoon, it was announced that Robinson, known affectionately as ‘Robbo’ would be retiring after nearly 40 years working in journalism.
Tributes have been paid to the Herald Sun Cheif 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’.
Robinson is renowned as one of Australia’s greatest sports reporters. He stepped up to fill the role of chief football reporter in 2012, taking over from the legendary Mike Sheahan.
Legendary journalist and broadcaster Mark Robinson has announced his retirement after 29 years in the industry
It came after Robinson (right, Gerard Whateley left) was sacked from his role on AFL 360 at the end of the 2024 season
And according to Gullan, who announced the news in his column in The Herald Sun on Thusday, he ‘did things in his own way’.
‘He had his own unique style which everyone came to love on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 where one minute he would have people in stitches and the next they’d be in tears – that was one of his great traits.’
He added: ‘People trusted Robbo because he was what he was, there were no pretences or hidden agendas.’
Robinson was well known for his no-nonsense style of journalism. With a dry sense of humour, the Bendigo-born reporter could position himself in a way to secure information that many other reporters struggled to source.
Over the years, Robinson covered some of the biggest stories in the sport from Wayne Carey’s North Melbourne exit, to the Essendon supplements saga.
He is also understood to have gone fishing with Patrick Dangerfield two days before the AFL Grand Final.
Robinson began working for the Bendigo Advertiser in 1985. He would move to the United Kingdom and work for the Yorkshire Post for 18 months.
After growing his journalism skills, he’d return to Australia and managed to get a job with the Herald Sun, working firstly on the news desk before joining the sport team.
Robinson (right) had stated that it was a ‘c****y feeling’ to be let go by the company
But Robinson’s departure from Fox Footy appeared to be rather unceremonious.
In October, Robinson did not appear for one final AFL360 show, with 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, admitting that upon finding out about the news, he did not go into the Fox studios.
‘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.’
Some from the world of journalism took to X to pay tribute to the journalist, Robinson, who worked in the industry for 29 years
Reflecting on the decision, he added: ‘But as time settles you’ve just got to get on with life. There’s nothing else you can do.
‘You’ve got to get on with life and other opportunities. It might be the best thing that’s happened to me.’
But many have paid tribute to Robinson, with the Herald Sun editor Sam Weir, writing: ‘Robbo has been the standard that every other AFL reporter is measured against.
‘His ability to consistently break the biggest stories, coupled with incredible analytical skills across print, digital and broadcast media is unrivalled.’
During his career, Robinson also worked with 1116 SEN as a panellist and appeared on 3AW alongside Daniel Hardford and Jimmy Bartel.
In 2021, Robinson suffered multiple cardiac episodes and would undergo surgery.
Fox Footy presenter Jon Ralph wrote on X on Sunday: ‘A fearless journo not afraid to tackle the game’s biggest topics through Covid, the Hawks racism drama and the Dons saga. Rarely or ever took a backwards step. Will be sorely missed at the Herald Sun through his newsbreaking and amazing feature.’
RSN breakfast host Daniel Harford said: ‘Have worked with many people in footy over the last 30 years, but no one has loved & lived it like Robbo. He could make you ‘feel’ like no one else. You always left a chat with Robbo wanting more. Loyal as the day is long and prepared to fight if needed. Congrats Chief.’
