He was labelled by the great Leigh Matthews as the most selfless player in the AFL and anyone privileged to have known him will agree. Shaun Hart epitomises all that is good about football.
The ultimate team man and professional, he played 273 games, had seven top 10 finishes in the club championship and received Life Membership. He is one of the all-time greats of the Brisbane Lions and will forever be remembered as the winner of the Norm Smith Medal in the Club’s first premiership in 2001 and a triple premiership icon.
But it wasn’t always the case, his AFL career was almost over before it really began. The boy from country Victoria had played just 17 games for the Bears at the end of 1991 when coach Robert Walls was confronted by a decision. One player had to go, it came down to Hart or Lachlan Sim. That Walls stuck with Hart proved a master-stroke, and the pocket-sized left-footer with the trademark helmet repaid the faith every day thereafter.
The Lions’ Most Competitive Player Award is now named in his honour.
For Mitch Robinson, the recipient of this year’s Shaun Hart Most Competitive Player Award, those sentiments of being the ultimate team man and professional ring true.
Robinson came to the Lions’ as a delisted free agent from Carlton and since he arrived at the Hyundai Centre has repaid the Lions’ lifeline in spades.
“I’m not blessed with a lot of talent, I just like having a crack. My old man taught me how to do it when I was a bit younger playing for Lauderdale in the seniors”, Robinson told the crowd at the Club Champion Awards in September.
“I used to get bashed up a fair bit down there so I just learnt to put my head over the ball and get a free kick”, he quipped.
“I’m very happy for the award, but hopefully it’s (success) just around the corner.
“Stick with us, we’re not far off.”
