Ian Russell

Ian Russell (born 10 August 1965) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. Primarily a , he played for the Illawarra Steelers and North Queensland Cowboys in Australia, and for the Sheffield Eagles, Paris Saint-Germain and Oldham Bears in Europe.

Playing career A Mittagong Lions junior of Indigenous descent, Russell won an under-18 Grand Final with club in 1983 and played A Grade for them in 1984 before joining the Illawarra Steelers.

Illawarra Steelers In Round 6 of the 1986 NSWRL season, Russell made his first grade debut for Illawarra in a 22–8 win over the St George Dragons. In 1987, after just one game for the Steelers, Russell was released from the club when he returned to Mittagong.

In 1988, Russell was invited back to the club and, although he could not force his way into their top side at first, he became a key player for the team. In 1990, he was named the Steelers' Player of the Year, was named in the Australian train-on squad and finished fourth in Rothmans Medal voting. In 1991, he once again won the Steelers' Player of the Year award and represented NSW Country Origin, starting at lock in their 12–22 loss to City.

Paris Saint-Germain In 1996, after departing the Cowboys, Russell joined Paris Saint-Germain for their first season in the Super League, playing three games for the club.

Oldham Bears In 1997, Russell joined the Oldham Bears, playing six games for the club.

Achievements and accolades Individual Dally M Lock of the Year: 1992 Illawarra Steelers Player of the Year: 1990, 1991 Illawarra Steelers 25th Anniversary Team of Steel

Statistics NSWRL/ARL SeasonTeamMatchesTGGK %F/GPts 1986 Illawarra 3 0 0 — 0 0 1987 Illawarra 1 0 0 — 0 0 1988 Illawarra 16 7 0 — 1 29 1989 Illawarra 18 0 0 — 0 0 1990 Illawarra 21 4 0 — 0 16 1991 Illawarra 22 2 0 — 0 8 1992 Illawarra 17 0 0 — 1 1 1993 Illawarra 8 0 0 — 0 8 1994 Illawarra 9 1 0 — 0 4 1995 North Queensland 11 0 0 — 0 0 1996 North Queensland 1 0 0 — 0 0 Career totals 127 14 0 — 2 58

Championship/Super League SeasonTeamMatchesTGGK %F/GPts 1990–91 Sheffield – 3 0 — 0 12 1996 Paris Saint-Germain 3 0 0 — 0 0 1997 Oldham 6 1 0 — 0 4 Career totals 9 4 0 — 0 16

Post-playing career In 2006, Russell was named at lock in the Illawarra Steelers 25th Anniversary Team of Steel.

Personal life Russell's son, Tate, is a professional soccer player and currently plays for the Western United in the A-League.