To make it in today’s constantly demanding, always testing AFL environment, players are required to excel in more than one position on the ground – something Luke Russell knows only too well.

Playing in 18 of the Gold Coast SUNS 22 matches, Russell underwent more positional changes than any other player on the list throughout the 2013 Premiership Season.

Starting at forward pocket in the team’s season opener against St. Kilda, Russell spent the remainder of the season at half-forward, providing strong run on the wings, across half back and deep in defence.

With a complete offensive and defensive game capable of holding down a spot at either ends of the ground, GC SUNS Assistant Coach Dean Solomon said Russell’s flexibility would bring him even greater opportunities in 2014.

“To have that variety in his game where he can play wing, half-back and half-forward is vital in today’s game,” Solomon said.

“If you isolate yourself to one position it limits your opportunities to make the side, so to have someone like Luke with that flexibility helps our side.”

After managing twelve and 14 matches in his previous seasons on the Gold Coast, Russell was often left wondering whether he had what it took to build a prosperous career in the AFL.

In a recent SUNS TV exclusive, Russell opened up about the frustrations of cracking in to the senior team, and his goal of leaving no stone unturned going into his third season.

“There was a time when I wasn’t getting picked and I was pretty down and very home sick in my second year, and sometimes I thought it’d be so much easier if I went home and not think about it,” Russell said.

“It was pretty tough you have so many moments in football up and downs, especially as a young guy coming through the competition.”
Solomon says the future is shining bright for the key 21-year-old.

“He has got his head around what it takes to be an AFL footballer, both on and off the field,” Solomon said.

“We coached him very hard and he’s starting to respond to that… he’s going to be a very good footballer.”