JUSTIN Leppitsch has lauded Mitch Robinson as among the Brisbane Lions' best leaders following his starring role in dismantling former club Carlton on Saturday night.
Robinson continued a standout first season in Lions colours, finishing with 33 disposals and a career-high 15 tackles that led his team off the bottom of the table with a 64-point win.
The former Blue was in the thick of everything.
Aside from his eye-catching play, he gave away a 50m penalty to Marc Murphy, hurt opponents with his bruising tackling and even got into a scrap with Michael Jamison, which may draw attention from the Match Review Panel.
But above all, he changed the game's momentum after the Lions trailed by 19 at the first change.
Leppitsch said Robinson's impact since coming to the Gabba in the off-season had been profound.
"He’s been a terrific leader this year," Leppitsch said.
"I don’t think it's anything anyone would have put beside Mitch’s name in his playing career.
"I know he is not labeled as a leader, but his work off the field, behind closed doors, his spirit on the field, he's as good a leader as we’ve got."
Robinson started 2015 as a half-forward, but has moved to the midfield with devastating results.
In the past six weeks he has averaged 24 disposals and a staggering 11 tackles a game.
The 26-year-old is relentless and fearless.
Leppitsch said Robinson had been a "pleasant surprise" and that his game had gone to another level.
It's hard to argue.
"He looks after himself well as far as his body (goes)," Leppitsch said.
"He is the ultimate professional, so he is reaping the rewards. It’s a good lesson for everyone.
"We've got a fairly quiet group, and anyone who knows Mitch Robinson, he aint quiet. We’ve got a lot of young kids and we need good spirited players."
Leppitsch said the victory that snapped an 11-game losing streak was good reward for recent improvement.
After trailing heavily at quarter-time, he said the Lions "tidied up" the contested ball, clearances and tackle count to run away with the game.
