This feels like Popovic making a statement with Robertson's omission. By sitting on the fence and not committing to Australia during the qualifying campaign, it may have ultimately harmed his chances of making the final squad.
I appreciate that Popovic took a different approach with Volpato, but McGree's injury created a need that made his inclusion more valuable and easier to justify.
My hope is that this decision has the desired effect and motivates Robertson to return with a renewed hunger to force his way back into World Cup contention for 2030. Ideally, he makes himself available for the upcoming Asian Cup and World Cup qualifying campaigns, because I believe he could still technically switch his international allegiance again before the 2030 World Cup.
