Famous footy pundit Mark Robinson drops another career bombshell after he was axed from his TV job
Legendary footy broadcaster and journalist Mark Robinson has announced his retirement.
It comes after he was fired from his role on AFL 360 by Fox Footy in October.
The 57-year-old said the decision was made by Fox powerbrokers, claiming he was ‘no longer needed’ on the legendary show after starring alongside Gerard Whateley for 14 years.
But on Thursday afternoon it was announced that Robinson, affectionately known as “Robbo,” would retire after nearly four decades in journalism.
Tributes have been paid to the Herald Sun Cheif Football writer, who colleague Scott Gullan said ‘wore his heart on his sleeve’ and has ‘an incredible ability to often get people talking about the most uncomfortable topics’.
Robinson is known as one of Australia’s greatest sports reporters. He stepped up in 2012 to fill the role of head football reporter, 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 fired from his role at 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 Thursdays he “did things his own way.”
“He had his own unique style that everyone came to love on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, where one minute he had people in stitches and the next minute they were in tears – that was one of his greatest qualities.”
He added: ‘People trusted Robbo because he was who he was, there were no pretexts or hidden agendas.’
Robinson was known for his no-nonsense style of journalism. With a dry sense of humor, the Bendigo-born reporter was able to position himself in a way to secure information that many other reporters struggled to obtain.
Over the years, Robinson has covered some of the biggest stories in sport, from Wayne Carey’s departure from North Melbourne to the Essendon supplements saga.
It is also believed he went fishing with Patrick Dangerfield two days before the AFL Grand Final.
Robinson started working for the Bendigo Advertiser in 1985. He would move to the UK and work for the Yorkshire Post for 18 months.
After honing his journalistic skills, he returned to Australia and managed to get a job at the Herald Sun, initially on the news desk before joining the sports 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 seemed rather unceremonious.
In October, Robinson did not appear for one final AFL360 show, with Whateley announcing his long-standing co-host would not be returning.
Robinson, known for his dry sense of humor and exceptional interviewing skills, later broke his silence on the matter and admitted that when he heard about the news, he didn’t go to the Fox studios.
‘Wow, what can I say? I enjoyed it for fourteen years, it was great and I loved it. [It] changed my life,” he told RSN’s Breakfast with Harf.
‘But last week it was decided that I was no longer needed for this show.
‘I was told last Tuesday by Steve Crawley [Fox Sports head of television] that changes would be made, and unfortunately I am the change.
“It was actually quite tough doing the shows last week.”
‘Not that I was depressed or anything; I thought I would say or act in a way that I would regret. A sign of maturity. I just said, “I’m not coming in.” Yes, I didn’t go in.’
Some from the world of journalism came to X to pay tribute to journalist Robinson, who worked in the industry for 29 years
Reflecting on the decision, he added: “But as time goes by, you just have to get on with life. There’s nothing else you can do.
“You have to move on with life and other opportunities. It might be the best thing that happened to me.’
But many have paid tribute to Robinson, with Herald Sun editor Sam Weir writing: ‘Robbo has been the standard by which every other AFL reporter is measured.
“His ability to consistently tell the biggest stories, combined with incredible analytical skills across print, digital and broadcast media, is unparalleled.”
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 heart attacks and was scheduled to undergo surgery.
Fox Footy presenter Jon Ralph wrote on X on Sunday: ‘A fearless journalist unafraid to tackle the game’s biggest topics through Covid, the Hawks racism drama and the Dons saga. Rarely, if ever, taken a step backward. Will be greatly missed at the Herald Sun for its news-breaking and astonishing feature.”
RSN breakfast presenter Daniel Harford said: “I’ve worked with a lot of people in footy over the last thirty years but no one has loved and lived it as much as Robbo. He could make you feel like you were no one else. You always left a conversation with Robbo wanting more. Loyal when the day is long and ready to fight when necessary. Congratulations Chief.”