Shinboner number: 15
Guernsey number: 7
Born: July 6, 1899
Died: August 13, 1977
Occupation: Munition worker
North Melbourne games: 59 (1925-28)
Goals: 16
The youngest of a large family of 11 born to Mary (nee Gibson) and Englishman William G Russ, who were all were born in Ballarat East, Victoria. In 1922 Russ married Hazel Bowden and they had at least one son, born in 1922.
His first match for North Melbourne was in Round 1, 1925, in the club's first VFL game, where he was selected on the wing. Playing from Round 1 to 12, he was reported as "showing glimpses of good play", "had the best of the centreline duels", "Russ tried hard".
Following that he was involved in a rough and spiteful match against Geelong in Round 12 in August 1925. Russ was reported for allegedly striking Geelong captain/coach Cliff Rankin, leaving Rankin unconscious, and was ordered to stand down for the rest of the season.
He played in every round in 1926 and 1927 and was selected in a second-18 Victorian Representative team in 1927 at the Melbourne Carnival on the wing.
He finished with North after playing 11 games in 1928. In 1929 he transferred to Footscray, playing a further 36 games and kicking 19 goals over two seasons, winning their Best and Fairest award in 1929.
Russ and his wife were cremated at the Altona Memorial Park, Victoria.
