MITCH Robinson is putting fatherhood in front of football and will miss Sunday's NAB Challenge game to stay home with fiancé Emma, who is expected to give birth any day.

It will be the couple's second child (they have an almost two-year-old son Chance).

Robinson was named in the Brisbane Lions' squad to take on St Kilda in Mackay, but will not make the trip north.

He trained on Friday at Coorparoo but left his phone with coaching staff in case any news came to hand.

Robinson captained the club for the first time in its opening NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast last month.

If Emma gives birth on Friday, Robinson will play a NEAFL practise match in Brisbane on Saturday to keep his match conditioning. 

The Lions are taking an almost full strength team to play the Saints, with just Dayne Beams, Josh Green and Allen Christensen – all expected to be available for round one – to miss alongside Robinson.