Michael Russo (rugby league)

Last updated

Michael Russo
Personal information
Full nameMichael Russo
Born (1983-10-17) 17 October 1983 (age 41)
Auburn, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Position Five-eighth, Second-row
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2002 Melbourne Storm 92008
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2004 Italy 10000
Source: [1]

Michael Russo (born 17 October 1983), is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s for Melbourne Storm.

Contents

Early life

Russo was educated at St Joseph's College, Nudgee, where he represented 2001 Australian Schoolboys. He played junior rugby league for the Maroochydore Swans and Nambour Crushers. [1] Moving to Sydney, he played junior representative football for Sydney Roosters, but was homesick and returned to Brisbane to join the Norths Devils, where he was named Devils Colts Player of the Year. [1]

Playing career

He made his NRL debut in round 2 of the 2002 NRL season for the Melbourne Storm against the Sharks. He was awarded 2002 Melbourne Storm Rookie of the Year. [2]

In April 2002, Russo and Melbourne teammate Marty Turner were involved in a serious car accident near Geelong, returning from a surfing trip. Turner suffered fractured ribs, a ruptured spleen, severe concussion, and cuts and bruises. Russo escaped with an injured elbow and was able to return to play in Round 6 where he scored a late try to seal a 12–4 win over St George Illawarra Dragons. [3] [4]

Released by Melbourne at the end of the 2003 season, Russo joined Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2004, without adding to his nine NRL games. [5]

Constant injuries cruelled Russo's rugby league career, retiring after the 2004 season. He did play one last game, representing Italy in an Ionio Cup match against Greece in October 2004. [6] Russo was sent off for a high tackle in what was his final game of rugby league. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 2002 Melbourne Storm Info Guide. Melbourne Storm. p. 66.
  2. ↑ melbournestorm.com.au. "NRL Honour Board". Club. Melbourne Storm. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Storm pair hurt as truck hits car". The Age. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  4. ↑ "Car crash kid turns try hero". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  5. ↑ "Peachey named for Cronulla trial". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 August 2021. The squad also includes captain Brett Kimmorley and off-season recruits Nathan Merritt, Ryan McGoldrick, Michael Russo and Andrew Lomu.
  6. ↑ "Hodges texts sorry message to Bowen". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 October 2004. Retrieved 11 August 2021. ARRIVEDERCI RUSSO: Former Australian Schoolboys captain Michael Russo will play his last game tomorrow when he represents Italy in the Ionio Cup match against Greece at Melita Stadium. Despite being just 20 and having a season to go at Cronulla, Russo has decided to quit after a horrific run of injuries. The game kicks off at 7pm.
  7. ↑ "Italy vs. Greece". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
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