The former Port Fairy ruckman has returned to Kardinia Park — he played one game for the Cats’ second-tier side two years ago — following a successful season at Port Melbourne.

Robinson, 27, said his decision to leave the Borough, where he relished the number-one ruck mantle, was tough.

But the one-time AFL draft prospect said living and working in Geelong made the Cats the logical choice.

“It makes life a bit easier and I am very happy Geelong has taken me back with open arms. I am very lucky in that respect,” Robinson said.

“I loved Port Melbourne and trained with them up until Christmas and had my heart set on going around there again but you have to be realistic and we’re all part-time footballers.

“I had pulled the pin on Port Melbourne and wasn’t sure what I’d do and Troy Selwood, who I knew personally, got wind of it and said ‘come down for a run anyway, it’d be a shame to lose you to VFL footy’.”

Robinson said the positive environment and working under esteemed Borough coach Gary Ayres were two positives he took from his time at North Port Oval.

“Port Melbourne is pretty much a big country club,” he said.

“The players drive the culture and it’s in our own hands.

“There are no weak links and everyone in the side has earned their spots.”

Robinson, a star of Hampden’s 2013 interleague side, wants to use that experience to establish himself in the VFL Cats’ best 22, be it in the ruck or as a key position player.

But he said there would be pressure for spots at the Cattery as Geelong has an abundance of talls for its two sides.

It welcomed Melbourne forward Mitch Clark and St Kilda speedster Rhys Stanley in the AFL trade period and boasts fellow ruck options Dawson Simpson, Nathan Vardy, Mark Blicavs and Hamish McIntosh.

Geelong, coming off back-to-back grand finals, finished ninth last season.

Robinson said the Cats were a proud team desperate to avenge that middle-of-the-road finish.

“We had a scratch match with the AFL list and the kids were very impressive,” he said.

“If they are playing a fair bit of VFL footy I dare say we’ll be strong again.”