Sean Robinson at Lonsdale Reserve Mulwala last week, soon to play number 300 senior game for the Lions.
Described as one of the cleverest footballers ever to play for Mulwala, Sean Robinson hopes to play his 300 th senior game for the Lions this Saturday at Congupna.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
It is a race against the clock at the moment as the talented onballer has a hamstring strain, occurring last Saturday week before Mulwala had the bye last weekend.
“I want to play but it will depend on Thursday night’s training,” the 39-year-old said.
If not this Saturday, it looks definite the big milestone game will be played at home against Rumbalara the following Saturday.
The club believes Robinson holds the most senior games record – certainly since official records began in the 1970s.
Popularly known as ‘Robbo’, he didn’t think he’d reach the big milestone as retirement loomed big at the start of last season. But after a game in the reserves, he was back in the seniors and hasn’t looked back.
”I’m incredibly proud to have played 300 senior games at Mulwala,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed being part of this club, the friendships formed, there’s not a lot of turnover of players and I’ve had great support from the family to get the best out of you.”
Sean and wife Bethany have two children Poppy 11 and nine-year-old Austin who is autism non-verbal.
“Mulwala is a great club, a great family club which looks out for each other and that certainly includes Austin which is wonderful,” he said.
After playing Under13s at Yarrawonga, Fourths at Mulwala, Under 15s at Yarrawonga, Thirds and Seconds at Mulwala, Robinson’s senior career at Lonsdale Reserve began 22 years ago, as a half back flanker.
But the natural left-footer who kicks both feet well has mainly played onball and has hit the scoreboard a lot in his time: already this season he has kicked an average of almost three goals a game.
No signs of slowing down Sean Robinson is averaging almost three goals a game this season.
Robinson has won Mulwala’s best and fairest award four times and gone close, including runner-up, in the league’s best and fairest, the O’Dwyer Medal on occasions.
Past president and 207 senior game player for the Lions, David Rose, praised the ability and loyalty of Robinson.
“Sean’s one of the cleverest footballers Mulwala’s has ever had, particularly with his ability to kick goals under extreme pressure,” Rose said.
“He kicked an unbelievable goal from the boundary line in the 2022 grand-final, in really wet conditions.
“Sean is super loyal. He had offers to play elsewhere. He won four Mulwala best and fairests, runner-up in O’Dwyer Medal – a great Murray League footballer.”
Aiming to break a 32-year premiership drought, Mulwala entered the 2022 grand final as a heavy underdog against Cobram at Echuca.
In a low-scoring affair, the favourites kicked the first few goals and led 4.3 to 1.3 at half-time. However, a six-goal-to-two second half saw the Lions prevail by three points, 7.5 to 6.8. Robinson kicked three goals and starred.
He lists that premiership, along with the following year's 14.14.98 to 9.11.65 grand final victory over Congupna, among the highlights of his career, well ahead of any personal achievements.
Robinson recalled that the day before the grand final against Cobram, a tornado had swept through Echuca and the weather conditions were terrible, with rain pouring throughout the match.
“Fortunately, I slotted one from about 35 metres on the boundary line to get us closer,” he said.
That heavy rain conjures up memories of Sean’s father-in-law Peter (Kanga) Orr who had trouble in seeing in a match for Mulwala against Moama and the bespectacled forward flanker believed a mob of zebras was fast approaching him!
Another highlight was playing in the Seconds grand-final victory against Deniliquin Rams at Moama with twin brother Dylan. Sean booted three and Dylan was named best afield.
Best players Sean has seen at Mulwala have been former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide player Michael Stevens, and O’Dwyer Medallist Jackson Gash. Toughest opponents have been Moama’s Rhys Archard and the Gemmills from Nathalia.
A technical officer at Thales Mulwala, Sean is a talented all-round sportsman who has also done very well in cricket, tennis and has a single figure golf handicap, not to forget representation in football at interleague and NSW Country Championships in years gone by.
“Life’s not all about football. I’ve enjoyed my career at Mulwala and it’s for that reason I’ve stayed at this great club,” Robinson said.
10°C