Michael Russo (rugby league) explained

Michael Russo
Fullname:Michael Russo
Birth Date:17 October 1983
Birth Place:Auburn, New South Wales, Australia
Height:185cm (73inches)
Weight:96kg (212lb)
Retired:yes
Club1:Melbourne Storm
Year1start:2002
Appearances1:9
Tries1:2
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:8
Teama:Italy
Yearastart:2004
Appearancesa:1
Triesa:0
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:0
Updated:13 September 2021
Source:https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/michael-russo/summary.html

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

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.

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: 2002 Melbourne Storm Info Guide . . 66.
  2. Web site: melbournestorm.com.au . NRL Honour Board . Club . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130928161940/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=nrl-honour-board . 28 September 2013 .
  3. Web site: Storm pair hurt as truck hits car . The Age . 11 August 2021.
  4. Web site: Car crash kid turns try hero . The Sydney Morning Herald . 11 August 2021.
  5. Web site: Peachey named for Cronulla trial . The Sydney Morning Herald . 11 August 2021 . The squad also includes captain Brett Kimmorley and off-season recruits Nathan Merritt, Ryan McGoldrick, Michael Russo and Andrew Lomu..
  6. Web site: Hodges texts sorry message to Bowen . The Sydney Morning Herald . 11 August 2021 . 1 October 2004 . 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. Web site: Italy vs. Greece . Rugby League Project . 11 August 2021.