MITCH Robinson has moved to Brisbane to change his off-field ways, but don't expect anything different from the former Carlton hard man on the field, as he plans on playing enforcer for his highly-paid midfield mates.
Robinson came to the Lions as a delisted free agent following a turbulent 100-game career with the Blues that mixed exciting and aggressive play with a number of reports and off-field misdemeanours.
Now the 25-year-old is adamant on settling down with his family in his new home and fitting into Justin Leppitsch's exciting squad.
On his third day of training in Lions colours on Wednesday, Robinson said he felt like a dinosaur alongside his young teammates, but would play the role of protector once the 2015 season began.
"I see myself playing a forward role and relieving midfielder, trying to put a few bumps on the taggers playing on the big dogs up here like (Daniel) Rich and (Dayne) Beams and those blokes that are pulling the cash," Robinson said.
"So I'll try and look after them."
The Lions are begging for more defensive pressure in their forward half after being ranked last in the competition for retaining the ball inside their forward 50 in 2014.
Robinson said moving away from the Melbourne media bubble would allow him to concentrate on family and football, although Leppitsch needed more assurances before the Lions offered up a two-year contract.
"He (Leppitsch) wanted to make sure my off-field things were sorted out and I didn't bring any negative tension to the club," Robinson said.
"That's all behind me. I've never been more hungry coming to the club."
One of Robinson's greatest supporters in luring him north was chief executive officer Greg Swann, who was alongside him for all but a couple of months of his time at Carlton.
"I was talking to Swanny pretty early on, he was massive on me getting to Brisbane,” Robinson said.
"We're pretty good friends. He said we were going places and I definitely bought into it and I'm glad to be here."
