Robbo retires from Melbourne

[beelzebub 23,351]

Robbo finishes career at Melbourne

official

Demons call time

He will nominate for drafts.

Good luck

well done mate

Edited August 20, 2009 by belzebub59

[Pates 9,660]

There it is, once Macca goes (not necessarily this year) it will be the changing of the guard, and new era in the MFC.

Best of luck Robbo, I will never forget the day you kicked 7 goals at KP to get us our first win there in 18 or so years!

[stranga 328]

Another sad day, so many good memories. Great player and true club champion.

Perosnally didnt see the harm in him staying on a year with a full pre season to help th edevelopment of Watts and co but thats modern footy.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I have a tear in my eyes. One of my all time favourite players, if not my all time favourite.

I'll really miss shouting " ... Roobbbbo!", as takes yet another screamer - like he continually did in that game against Geelong at Kardinia late in 2005, which meant us making the finals.

[old55 23,552]

I have a tear in my eyes. One of my all time favourite players, if not my all time favourite.

I'll really miss shouting " ... Roobbbbo!", as takes yet another screamer - like he continually did in that game against Geelong at Kardinia late in 2005, which meant us making the finals.

Well done Robbo, the fact that his name is not out of place on that 10 forwards list post is a massive accolade in itself.

Robbo's greatest achievement was the improvement he made in goal kicking reliability.

He went from "look away" to "mark it down in the record".

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,169]

Congratulations on an excellent career Robbo. Not many will leave the game with a better highlights package than your good self. People will focus on the high flying marks but there were plenty more strings to your bow.

Edited August 19, 2009 by big_red_fire_engine

[Sir Why You Little 37,034]

Thanks Robbo my Dad & i will miss your Speckies from the members stand.

I remember a game against the swans in 2002-you got us home in the last quarter & went right off ya nana when te winning goal went through.

Great career-be proud.

[Doggo 32]

One of my favourite's too, ever since i first spotted him in the #42 guernsey playing reserves in 1997. Was a lot skinnier back then, but even then was capable of taking the impossible mark and kicking the unlikely goal. I used to love getting to the ground early and watching the curtain-raiser, and Robbo was the main reason for that.

Will miss ya lighting up the 'G with your screamers and impossible goals, Robbo! Thanks very much for your service to the club for the last 13 seasons.

All the best in your future endeavours...

[titan_uranus 25,014]

I'll miss him, and I'll find it difficult to cope, I reckon, if he goes to another club.

[deeflog 679]

Well done Robbo, you have done so much for the MFC on and off the ground, good luck with the draft and we look forward to seeing you back at the club

[Demon Disciple 12,120]

given that this year is considered to be a 'weak' draft, Robbo has a better chance at being picked up by someone (moreso a team near the top) in the the upcoming drafts. Good luck to him.

My all time favourite Robbo moment was in 2004. It was round 2 of the Wizard Cup and we were playing WCE at the Dome. A huge hospital ball comes into our forward line with Robbo 20 metres away from the pack. We all start screaming "Robbo" as he lopes in. He takes an absolute beauty of a hanger, and what made even more spectaular was the crash back to earth. A good speccie should never end with the player landing on their 2 feet.

Robbo, you are a champ of the MFC, but unfortunately given where we are now at as a club, the choice you made is the correct one. Much respect for doing what is best for your club.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Well done Robbo, the fact that his name is not out of place on that 10 forwards list post is a massive accolade in itself.

Robbo's greatest achievement was the improvement he made in goal kicking reliability.

He went from "look away" to "mark it down in the record".

I agree with those observations of Old and others.

I have not always been enamored with some of your games at times but over the course of 10+ years its a great story.

A great career and hard player for oppositions to cover at his best.

Hold your head up high for what you have done from being a rookie in Tassie.

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Congrats Robbo on a great career and putting the club first. You will always be remembered at the club for being one of the great forwards. Ill always remember munching on a sausage at training at the Junction oval back in the ninety's thinking who is this guy clowning around taking spekies and kicking goals. I thought you might be special and you were.

[titan_uranus 25,014]

Robbo's on 3AW right now.

Says that it's disappointing that the game has been modified to become faster, placing an emphasis on holding possession, which has led to speccies becoming rarer.

Also says he'll miss the feeling of walking off the ground having won. Especially singing the song.

Wants to move into the media, possibly radio. Wants to bring the 'fun back to football', doesn't like the current scrutiny on players.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

This would be one of the few times I would wish him every success in whatever club he ends up at, should he end up at one.

Would LOVE for him to go to the Cats, Dogs... any club that could use a player who could kick 2-4 goals a match. If he could manage it, and get into finals, I would be thrilled for the bloke, and would be barracking for him.

Robbo, we love you dearly (most of us), and you'll be missed... and more importantly for those who watched you play, never EVER forgotten.

Heartfelt congratulations.

[heartbeatstrue 57]

Thanks Robbo my Dad & i will miss your Speckies from the members stand.

Me and my family too. I loved your exuberance and that grin. Thanks Robbo, you're amongst my all time favourite demons.

[TonyMelb 7]

Me and my family too. I loved your exuberance and that grin. Thanks Robbo, you're amongst my all time favourite demons.

Robbo has been a great presonality around the MFC since starting as Woey' sidekick at club functions. He has always been great on firled for memorable events but equally always been great wit the supporters and partiuclarly the kids. He has always remembered and chatted with our 3 boys especially the youngest who wears no 24 & his demon teddy "Robbo" is signed by Robbo.

Hope the MFC makes sure Robbo is in the side in rnd 22 at least so we can send him off in style and DB should give him full licence to fly for everything one more time!!!

Very best wishes for the future RR and hope you get another years somewhere on the condition dont beat the MFC! Thanks for all the memorable highlights during your career!

[Yencks 8]

my favorite

[H_T 3,043]

Well done Robbo, the fact that his name is not out of place on that 10 forwards list post is a massive accolade in itself.

Robbo's greatest achievement was the improvement he made in goal kicking reliability.

He went from "look away" to "mark it down in the record".

Congratulations Russell on a terrific career forged from being a rookie in Tasmania to a successful forward for the Melbournefc spanned over 13 years. Picked up at pick #68 in the 1996 National Draft.

On reflection:

Russell Robertson (Melbourne Football Club)

Age: 30yrs 8 mths

Height: 187cm

Games: 226

Goals: 422

Behinds: 289

Disposals: 2617

Marks: 1100

Tackles: 237

Hit Outs: 58

FF: 180

FA: 157

Brownlow Votes: 17

Averages: -

Kicks: 8.5

Handballs: 3.1

Disposals: 11.6

Marks: 4.9

Goals: 1.9

Behinds: 1.3

Tackles: 1.0

Note:

* Two games to be played (if selected).

**Stats courtesy - Footy Wire - AFL statistics (current)

***G.Lyon kicked 426 goals (if anyone is interested)

All the best mate, thankyou for being an exciting footballer for the Mfc who has provided many highlights.

Don't worry about the critics - sometimes some criticism helps albeit the constructive criticism (which I put my hand up for) - fwiw every club has them. It's part of the AFL.

Edited August 20, 2009 by High Tower

[1858 285]

Thanks to Robbo for the service and highlights over his career at MFC. All the best for the future and if he does go into the media I am pretty sure he will stay the same Robbo instead of conforming to the bs that goes on.

[heartbeatstrue 57]

This would be one of the few times I would wish him every success in whatever club he ends up at, should he end up at one.

Would LOVE for him to go to the Cats, Dogs... any club that could use a player who could kick 2-4 goals a match. If he could manage it, and get into finals, I would be thrilled for the bloke, and would be barracking for him.

Robbo, we love you dearly (most of us), and you'll be missed... and more importantly for those who watched you play, never EVER forgotten.

Heartfelt congratulations.

Hear, hear!

Good post, Dappa Dan.

[e25 5]

SHOWPONY.

Just baiting ya's all!

Look, for undersized forward (which, let's be honest, is exactly what he was) he was fantastic.

He often was required to occupy a position and role that should've been beyond his capabilities, yet he still flourished.

The stats alone tell a story and I dare you to show me a player that doesn't have some shortcomings.

Its a shame we have come to a stage at our club where we have to be so ruthless, if he was 21 he'd be the most untouchable player on our list.

Whether this is the end of his career or not, he can still hold his head high and be proud of his time as a demon.

I'm one of his harshest critics and I'd still buy him a beer or 2.

Good luck with the future fella.

[Redleg 40,899]

Thanks Robbo for your career with the Dees. You were an exciting player to watch and gave the crowd value for their dollar. You were also very approachable and I recall a couple of chats after pre season games etc. where you were happy to spend time with a supporter (me).

If you play the last 2 games and kick 5 more goals you will be the third highest goal kicker with the MFC. That is a pretty good stat considering the history of the club and the fact thst you came off the rookie list, like our current captain.

If you play on good luck and if you don't well done and thanks for the memories.

PS. Despite the advertised height I don't think you are taller than 184cms, which makes your record even better.

Edited August 20, 2009 by Redleg

[Deeoldfart 8,016]

Congratulations on a fantastic career Robbo. You've given us great enjoyment, and lots of thrilling memories over the journey. You have also been a great ambassador for the Melbourne Football Club, during an era when we havn't had too many.

Congratulations also to the Melbourne Football club for continuing to make 'difficult' decisions when they are called for.

[kryton 0]

Robbo finishes career at Melbourne

official

Demons call time

He will nominate for drafts.

Good luck

well done mate

So does anyone think he'll get picked up? Maybe a fit for Swans with Micky O going and Hall gone?