Illawarra Steelers
Ian Russell's toughness and creativity were essential to Illawarra's success in the early 1990s. Graded by the club in 1986, Russell was released to return to play with Mittagong in 1987 because of his poor form and attitude. He was invited back to the club in 1989 and, although he could not force his way into their top side at first, his deft ball skills and fine kicking game improved enormously at Illawarra and he was rewarded with a place in the NSW Country Origin team in 1991. Illawarra's Player of the Year in 1990-91, he also polled well in Rothmans Medal awards.
However his failure to take to the field because of a troublesome hamstring injury in the 1992 finals series was a major blow to the Steelers, but his talent did not go unnoticed receiving the 'Dally M' Lock of the Year. His injuries restricted his appearances over the next two years however and he signed on with the fresh North Queensland Cowboys for 1995 as one of the Cowboys backbone players.
Read more about this topic: Ian Russell (rugby League)