BRISBANE Lions midfielder Mitch Robinson says Carlton's decision to dump him two years ago will motivate him for the rest of his career.
Robinson is in career-best form and will take on his old side on Saturday at the Gabba, a rare opportunity to claim a win for the struggling Lions.
The rugged on-baller is averaging 23 possessions per game and is one of the few senior players at the Lions this season who can hold their head high.
"It's been probably my two best years of my career up here," Robinson said.
"I've used that as motivation and I'll probably keep using it for the remainder of my time up here."
But Robinson insisted he was not bitter at the Blues, who delisted him at the end of the 2014 season after a series of off-field incidents.
"Probably last year was more a little chip on the shoulder and trying to prove I'm a good player still," he said.
"I've actually been supporting them this year, watching games, getting stuck into it on the TV, all that kind of stuff.
"Things won't change this weekend, it's a big game for me personally but for the club it's even bigger."
Mitch Robinson set it up with the tackle and Tom Rockliff didn't let him down with the finish. #AFLCrowsLions https://t.co/HTDIHFOsn7
— AFL (@AFL) August 6, 2016
Carlton has lost its past eight games and, like the Lions, suffered their worst defeat of the season last weekend in a 71-point loss to St Kilda.
After coach Justin Leppitsch last week conceded he was running out of ways to keep his young players focused, Robinson said he had taken it upon himself to help out.
"That's been my role, pretty much. You speak to anyone, they'll tell you I'm up and about, a bit of ADHD-type," he said.
"I just try and keep everyone up and about and motivated on and off the track.
"It's been pretty tough but the boys have been sticking together a lot this year."
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