Another former Eel goes to Canberra

[Hurriflatch]

Raiders sign Russo for season
June 16, 2004 - 6:05PM

Former South Sydney five-eighth Jamie Russo has joined Canberra on a one-year NRL contract.

Russo split with the Rabbitohs in May and approached Raiders coach Matthew Elliott last week looking for an opportunity.

The 23-year-old has arrived in the nation's capital.

Elliott is looking at Russo as a back rower.

"He's more than a big chance of playing first grade," Elliott said.

"He's certainly experienced at that level and will be very keen to play first grade here."

Russo said he was looking forward to the challenge of breaking into the Raiders first grade line-up.

"It's a very professional club and they look like they've come a long way both on and off the field over the last two years," he said.

"I've got to find my feet first but my aim is definitely to play first grade and hopefully play a number of games before the season's up.

"I think getting away from Sydney will do me the world of good. Canberra is certainly very different and a good place to make to start fresh."

Canberra is Russo's fourth NRL club - he had stints at the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta before spending two years at Redfern.

© 2004 AAP

 

[strider]

Oh damn you Brian...how could u let this one slip away!!!...damn, damn, damn

;-)

 

[bartman]

Yeah, not missing out on much there! Russi didn't even make it to first grade with us did he?

 

[Jake the snake]

He is a dud.

 

[The Colonel]

He played one game methinks, possibly two. He went off to play Union with Randwick after he left Parra only to be called back to the Bunnies when injuries were looking bad.

 

[Hurriflatch]

Played a few more lower grade games though but yeah didn't play that many top grade games.

 

[The Engineers Room]

Not a great loss. Hopefully he can resurrect his career at Canberra.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Not a great loss, only played two first grades for the Eels. One of them was at five-eighth.

He's the new Tyran Smith, Russo cant stay at one club for a while.

 

[bradeel]

you can add Jason Smith to this list at Canberra too by the looks of things.

 

[The Engineers Room]

Buying 5/8's at Canberra?

 

[Forum Idiot]

ive never seen russo play a good game for the rabbits. he makes some of the worst 5th tackle decisions you will ever see, offers nothing in attack.

 

[Alan Shore]

That's because Russo is a forward, not a half.

Parramatta if they should be whinging it should be over players like Donald, Schifcofske and Marsh. Marsh is the class half you were looking for.

 

[strider]

That's because Russo is a forward, not a half.

Parramatta if they should be whinging it should be over players like Donald, Schifcofske and Marsh. Marsh is the class half you were looking for.

And as all the knowledable people know - Marsh was poached by the Warriors prior to 30th June....Parra learned the lesson of not trusting other clubs and player managers with that one.

Schifcofske - well we've had a rollercoaster ride with fullbacks since Clinton left...Hodgy was a SOO star, then went out of form....but now Wade IMHO is currently a better fullback than both Hodgy and Schif.

Donald - yeah he's fast as hell - again we had a rollercoaster ride with wingers....I think Moods was great for a period, Burt was good then got injured....but Grothe has returned and I think we have more than enough talent coming through to play on the wing.


Now if you want to talk players we REALLY should NEVER have lost...

Ian Hindmarsh - #-o

 

[JessEel]

russo was cool, i remember watching him play divvy one day and it was his best game ever, i think it was 4 tries and a hand in every other. One of those days where everything he touched was bliss... thats about it tho... goodluck to him in canberra, someone tell him to pack some jumpers!

 

[ParraMatt]

I think he played only 1 first grade game for us if that. And it was from the bench if so.