A bitter end has transformed into a fresh start for emerging midfielder Dan Robinson.
Robinson broke his collarbone in the Swans’ Round 20 curtain-raiser, ruling the 21-year-old out for the rest of the season.
What came next was a series of injuries to midfielders Luke Parker (on the same night) and Kieren Jack, which inadvertently triggered a run of other injuries to key players in the lead up to finals.
What started as a breakout season for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy member, ended in frustration given the speedy wingman would have been right in the mix for another senior berth had it not been for the untimely fracture.
“It was pretty frustrating, we had no midfield injuries until the last six weeks and that was the one time I was injured,” Robinson said.
“But looking back on it, there’s no point dwelling on ifs or buts. All you can do is focus on is your next pre-season and your next opportunity.”
Robinson used the time to not only heal his wrecked shoulder but reflect on what was truly a big step forward in his development.
He played four matches after debuting in Round 9, averaging 10 disposals, before plying his trade again at the lower level in a bid to reach a level of consistency hard for the match committee to ignore.
After waiting two years on the rookie list and fighting for a spot within an often impenetrable midfield for his AFL debut, anyone would argue Robinson’s season was far from a waste.
Robinson described every senior game as “a learning curve” and wanted to use that experience as a building block to bigger and better things next season.
Having come back fully fit and fully healed, polishing a few areas of his game over the coming months will be step one.
“The more opportunities you get the more at ease you feel at that level,” he said.
“For me it’s about working hard to create that next opportunity and, when I get it, play my game and be confident in that situation.
“I want to keep working on my forward presence and defensive presence. That’s a big thing for me.
“My defensive pressure probably wasn’t to a standard where it needed to be last season and that’s something I want to work on next year.”
He’ll have his work cut out for him with the likes of Brandon Jack and Dean Towers playing a significant role in the senior side at the same time Robinson was on the mend.
Robinson says both have been impressive during the Swans’ pre-season campaign so far as has been the next generation including top three draft pick Callum Mills.
With an impressive scar and a few screws to remind him of the setback, Robinson says he’ll be throwing everything into this pre-season and taking nothing for granted on the path back to senior contention.
“I’ve jumped straight into it. I have come back fully fit, (the shoulder) is feeling good and I’m back to reaching my PB’s in the gym,” he added.
“We’ve got a fresh program, fresh faces and a fresh approach so it’s been really enjoyable so far.”
Robinson was recruited with Pick 51 in the 2013 Rookie Draft, earning his senior elevation at the end of 2014.
