The meteoric rise of an Australian football player from 11,000 Instagram followers to a staggering 40,000 in just three days (it’s now over 89,000) stands as a quirky and remarkable phenomenon that has captured the hearts of footy fans far and wide.
Picture this: Friday night football at Marvel Stadium, where the fervor of the game electrifies the atmosphere. Amidst a sea of supporters, Robertson, a rising star of the Brisbane Lions, found himself unwittingly thrust into the spotlight. His guernsey, the sacred armor of the Aussie rules warrior, was unceremoniously ripped from his body, leaving him exposed to the cheers and jeers of 38,350 spectators and countless more watching from home.
As he lay on the ground, waiting for a replacement jersey, the world watched, and a viral sensation was born. Brisbane’s team doctor, Sherwin Goh, heroically embarked on a quest to retrieve Robertson’s GPS device from the torn jersey, fitting it into the new one. Meanwhile, Robertson’s wardrobe malfunction provided an unexpected dose of humor to the masses and endless amusement to his teammates.
“I was mostly getting heckled by my own teammates,” Robertson chuckled as he recounted the incident to AFL.com.au. “That’s when you know you’re in trouble. Cam Rayner was the main one giving it to me. I was just trying to get a replacement, to be honest. I was a bit worried. It came off pretty easy. It was like a wet paper towel. It was just yanked off.”
The Internet exploded with memes, jokes, and hearty laughter in response to this unforeseen spectacle. Social media, ever the stage for instant stardom, rejoiced in the hilarity of the moment. Robertson’s fame transcended the football field, catching the attention of breakfast television giants Sunrise and Today, along with radio stations nationwide eager to secure an interview.
But Robertson, the unassuming midfielder from the West, remains discreet and soft-spoken about his newfound celebrity status. He has no immediate plans to discuss the incident, leaving fans to savor the memory.
Even Brisbane’s seasoned coach, Chris Fagan, couldn’t resist a grin when asked about the incident. “I haven’t seen that before,” Fagan admitted. “I suppose if I had the build Deven Robertson’s got, I would be pretty happy running around for a couple of minutes with no top on. I’m sure that those who like that sort of thing in the audience would have liked it, too.”
Friday night marked a crucial home-and-away game for Fagan and his Lions, with the prospect of hosting two home finals at the Gabba hanging in the balance. The team’s mission was clear: beat Collingwood and solidify their top-two position. Mission accomplished.
“We came down here with a clear goal in mind: to win and solidify a top-two spot, which we are gunning for. We definitely came down here for business and we got it done,” Robertson reflected.
As Robertson’s profile continues to skyrocket, his journey is set to take a new turn at the end of the season. West Coast has been courting the out-of-contract West Australian for over a year, hoping to lure him back home in October with the promise of greater midfield opportunities.
The Daily Netizen 