Rugby league legend Geoff Robinson has died at the age of 66, succumbing to a heart attack after a long cancer battle.
Robinson played 139 first-grade games for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 1977 to 1984 and made a return to the team in 1986.
After a long battle with throat cancer, he is believed to have passed away due to a heart attack.
Known as ‘the wild man’, Robinson was instantly recognisable on the field by his trademark shoulder-length black hair and ferocious hit-ups.
Robinson had a stellar career with the Bulldogs, which included three grand finals and two premierships.
The renowned hardman faced his biggest challenge after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2021.
Robinson’s weight dropped from 92kg to 64kg as he battled the disease.
‘I have always thought of myself as a pretty strong person but this has gotten me a couple of times. I’ll be honest – it has brought me to tears,’ Robinson told the Daily Telegraph.
Robinson played in 139 first-grade games for the Bulldogs from 1977 to 1984 and made a return to the team in 1986
‘It hurts so much when my grandkids come in and go: “Are you okay, Poppy?”,’ Robinson said.
Tributes flowed for the footy legend, with many also sharing condolences to his big family.
‘Geoff was the most decent and loyal guy and he was my friend,’ said Robinson’s mate and Bulldogs sponsor Arthur Laundy.
‘Everyone loved ‘Robbo’. They loved the way he played football.’
Former Bulldogs teammate Paul Langmack said: ‘He taught me so much.’
Friend Melissa Tallon described Robinson as a player who was always ‘kind and generous’ to his fans.
‘Another Angel has been called home… Robbo was always kind and generous to the Canterbury-Bankstown fans,’ Tallon wrote in a Facebook post.
‘He was a no-surrender, take no-prisoners kind of player on the field. I will remember the man I meet after he stopped playing and smile because he was just awesome to me. Thank you for those memories.’
‘Rip Robbo a great front row for Canterbury. Them mad stares when you ran out on Belmore oval I will never forget. It was an honour to play against you! Raider 11,’ another person wrote.
It is believed Robinson, who was known as ‘the wild man of Belmore’ died of a heart attack after a long battle with throat cancer
‘The wild man of Belmore – an absolute legend of the game in the 70s and 80s I just loved seeing him play hard as nails but such a lovely person,’ a third added.
A fourth chimed: ‘He was the original wild man of League. Always remember that mane of hair flowing as he charged into the defence line. RIP Big Fella’.
Robinson also played 30 games for the Halifax Panthers in the UK and claimed a championship during the 1985/86 season.
He rejoined Canterbury in round 12 of the 1986 NSWRL season and played in the losing grand final against Parramatta.
Robinson leaves behind his wife Janine, who he married at 18-years-old, their seven children – Layla, Hayden, Travis, Jayde, Nadine, Simone and Joel – and grandchildren.