Ex-footy star strips down to his Brisbane-themed Budgie Smugglers and takes a dip in his flooded back yard as Cyclone Alfred wreaks havoc on AFL opening round
Former Brisbane Lions star Mitch Robinson has shown off the effects of Cyclone Alfred, donning a pair of togs and taking a dip in his flooded back garden.
The AFL on Tuesday announced that it would be postponing this weekend’s opening two fixtures of the 2025 season due to Storm Alfred.
The Brisbane Lions were set to unfurl their premiership flag against Geelong on Thursday night at the Gabba, while Gold Coast host were due to face Essendon at the People First Stadium on Friday.
But with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicting heavy rainfall, flash flooding and winds of up to 120km/h to blast south-east Queensland, AFL bosses decided it was unsafe to host both matches.
Robinson, meanwhile, joked that fans will ‘just have to watch his highlights’ instead, as he posted a video of himself donning a pair of Brisbane Lions-themed budgie smugglers and a pair of goggles before going for a dip in a huge puddle of water.
Robinson captioned the video with a swimming emoji: ‘Alfred, c’mon mate, no opening round footy Thursday in Brisbane. Just going to watch my highlights then.’
Robinson jokingly slapped his arms against his body, similar to 23-time Olympic Gold medallist Michael Phelps, as he stood up to knee height in the pool of warter. He took a deep breath in before jumping head first into the pond before doing a quick length and dashing out of the water and back inside his home.
Many have reacted to the video, with Aussie duo Those Carter Boys writing: ‘Rate his form.’
Robinson, who returned 71 goals across 147 appearances for the Lions during his career responded: ‘Olympic backyard swimmer?’
In a separate video posted on his Instagram, Robinson reflected on the storm and the decision to postpone matches, urging Queensland residents to take precautions and stay safe in the storm.
‘For all you Brisbaneites and Queenslanders, make sure you do the necessary things to make sure your home and you are safe,’ he said on the Rip Through It Instagram channel.
He then poked fun at himself for swimming in a giant puddle in his backyard, saying: ‘Don’t be like this d***head and go swimming in the backyard water,’ pointing to a picture of himself in his swimmers.
Robinson believes that the postponement of the two opening matches may have a silver lining for some players making their way back from injury.
‘The positive from this is Brandon Starcevich will be able to get ready and healthy for the next round and Callum Ah Chee and a few other players.
‘And obviously Bailey Smith too for Geelong who has been struggling with a knee injury.’
With 700mm of rain expected to fall in the coming days, the AFL said the decision was made out of a necessity to ensure the safety of clubs, players, officials and those living in Queensland and northern New South Wales.
‘Out of an abundance of caution and after ongoing communication with the Queensland Government, the Bureau of Meteorology and Stadiums Queensland, the AFL made the decision now to ensure the health and safety of clubs, players, officials and – importantly – the wider southeastern Queensland and northern NSW community remains the priority,’ the AFL said in a statement.
‘The AFL will announce the alternate schedule for these matches as soon as possible as we continue to work with clubs and venues on possible scenarios.
‘The rescheduled matches won’t be played during Opening Round.’
