Wally Russell
Richmond and Geelong
AFL career
58 games30 goals
- Debut
- R1 1942 v FSC9 May 1942
- Most recent
- R19 1949 v RCH27 Aug 1949
Stats
Bio
Recruited from Bacchus Marsh as a teenage prodigy, Wally Russell was a skilled rover and half-forward whose early career was significantly interrupted by RAAF service in Canada during World War II. Returning to Punt Road, he struggled to cement a permanent spot in Jack Dyer's powerhouse lineup, ultimately missing out on senior premiership glory but securing a flag with the seconds in 1946. Russell crossed to Geelong midway through the 1948 season seeking greater opportunity, adding valuable experience to the Cats' midfield rotation before finishing his VFL tenure the following year. He later forged a successful career as a country captain-coach and left a family legacy at Kardinia Park through his son, Ivan, who donned the hoops in the 1970s.
Profile
- Born
- 25 Mar 1923
- Died
- 04 Mar 1981 (aged 57y 344d)
- Birthplace
- Bacchus Marsh, VIC
- Height
- 178 cm
- Weight
- 80 kg
Teams
Family
- Son:Ivan Russell
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from Bacchus Marsh as a teenage prodigy, Wally Russell was a skilled rover and half-forward whose early career was significantly interrupted by RAAF service in Canada during World War II. Returning to Punt Road, he struggled to cement a permanent spot in Jack Dyer's powerhouse lineup, ultimately missing out on senior premiership glory but securing a flag with the seconds in 1946. Russell crossed to Geelong midway through the 1948 season seeking greater opportunity, adding valuable experience to the Cats' midfield rotation before finishing his VFL tenure the following year. He later forged a successful career as a country captain-coach and left a family legacy at Kardinia Park through his son, Ivan, who donned the hoops in the 1970s.