Sean Russell will be the starting right winger for round 1. Everyone knows we have wanted a winger to come in. JAC was mentioned for a while. We attempted to get Blake Wilson to no avail.
But is Russell the answer all along? Well of course we do not know that but he could be. From reports he has packed on the weight, which is a start considering he was quite a light weight on the wing this year. Considering Russell is a quick but not super fast Winger, being a workhorse type can work well. Putting on the weight will assist in that. Russell is a player that does not excel in one area though does not a have a massive weakness in another. In the 17 games he played in 2023, very rarely would you say Russell is a liability, he got better each week he played and was consistent late in the year. The thing with Russell is he had two disrupted years, 2021 he missed half a year due to COVID where he was a 19 year old, then 2022 he missed half a year due to his collapsed lung injury. He played 17 of his 20 NRL games this year so he was practically a rookie this year.
Though looking at Russell, what is he good at? He is a worker, puts his body on the line, has decent height, is comfortable in space and can play other positions. Defence wise he is sound on the Wing, at Centre he did well considering his experience at the position before playing there. He played there in Round 6 v Wests, 4th NRL game, hadn't played a game all year, had not played the position at a high level only appearing at Fullback or Wing. He held his own. Was he great? No, but he was fine for a game or two against lower opposition. That is Russell, put him somewhere and he will give his all. He got a chance at Fullback against the Warriors as was poor, though he did not have either Brown or Moses to direct him around the back but still was poor, though can improve in time.
However, the club searching for a winger could mean they do not see Russell as the full-timer. Blake Wilson even was sought out to bring in to compete with Russell. JAC, as mentioned, was brought up as a possibility. Although, it was similar to us looking at back-rowers to later have Cartwright step up as an option and now is the starter. By process of elimination Russell is the starter by default since it is really only him and Dunster pushing for the right wing spot and Russell has the momentum from 2023 and is the better player. Though Russell has the workhorse mentality he should work towards being even better in that role. Gaining more weight is a start, he has a great running technique where he leans forward and moves him body to the ground when is about to be pushed back. Under the high ball he got more confident also.
A full pre-season for Russell could be a godsend and could very well lead him to being the answer for us on the Wing. His ceiling is being a good to great Winger for us, perhaps future Fullback, though he wont be considered an Origin level talent, he can be a great winger who can score tries at will.
Replies
I think SR could be a great 14
Russell is a reserve graders at best. No more no less.
He is only playing first grade as we have no one better.
I highly doubt he would be a starter at any other club.
Everyone wants these kids to come through and kill it from day one. Very few do that and a lot that do only have one or two good seasons and fall off.
D. Brown didn't and look how he turned out, Penisini didn't and outside of the end of last season has done pretty well and I could list numerous amounts of others who have been the same. Most will need a season or two, training and playing fulltime in the top grade to begin to show their talents. That is how most players come through.
I think he is a promising young player but we need to give him enough time to go from a kid/young talent and grow into a mans body with the mindest and skillset that fullgrown men have.
I would love to know howmany of our members were child superstars and if they could back it up with any proof? My guess is they weren't and can't and that is why they get on sites and bag anyone who isn't a superstar but have no idea how rare and hard it is to be a superstar, let alone a child one that then takes that into the adult game.
Not forgetting in 2022 his fractured ribs and a punctured lung
I don't think he'll be that great, but will be a decent squad member.
Reminds me of Bevan French but with less speed.
I think he has a better work rate than French. His game reminds me a less talented Gutherson in his work rate and putting body on the line.
He is 6'2. Way bigger the French and still growing into his frame. Gaining muscle each year.
Well he was listed at 90kg in 2022, by now he should be around 95-96kg if he has gotten bigger as reports have suggested. Plus he moves well for his height. I dont know but i see a good sesaon for Russell.
TCT are saying 6'3 97kgs. If true thats a decent size winger. He was just a skinny kid when we first saw him.
That is bigger than i though, he is only 21 so his body is still developing. If he 97kg that is where an NRL winger should be. He would have been around 92-93kg in 2023. His height will lean out the weight well too. Russell looks committed and that is what you want.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next