The Footscray Bulldogs will showcase a mix of experience and emerging talent in 2014, with former Collingwood and Carlton defender Jordan Russell the latest acquisition joining the Club as both a player and development coach.  

Signing on to the Footscray Bulldogs in a dual playing / coaching role, the 27-year-old said he was eager to take the next step in his career, after playing 125 games between Collingwood and Carlton in the AFL.

“The thing that stood out the most [about Footscray] is the fact that it is directly aligned with the Western Bulldogs,” Russell said.

“I get to experience and learn a lot off the [coaching group] who are young and then Chris Maple has obviously been around for awhile.

“I get to learn and pick their brain and I think I get a day or half a day in with the AFL boys as well.”

Russell said development coaching seemed like a natural progression after football, having always taken pride in watching the emergence of his young teammates around him.

“When my footy was battling away a bit I found myself gravitating towards the younger boys… and just trying to help them and pass on my experiences and knowledge and try to make them better,” he said.

“I love working with and helping the younger guys and trying to make them get better – I think you see a lot of growth in the younger guys because they can learn so quickly.

“It ended up killing me because the guys I was developing ended up taking my position, so I don’t know whether it was a smart move or not,” he joked.

Part of his role will also allow him to act as an on field coach, helping streamline directions and give guidance alongside his more experienced teammates.

“I still get to play and I am the eyes on the field,” he said.

“Obviously it takes a couple of minutes to relay the message from the runner out onto the field but if I am across everything… and able to direct the message straight away it is only going to make it more efficient.”

Development Manager Chris Maple said the recruitment of Russell in both a coaching and playing capacity was a major coup for the Club.

“Jordan has been in the leadership group at Carlton and he’s got a bit of experience in that area, so we wanted to tap into that,” Maple said.

“Also obviously he is a very good player – he will work very closely with our younger boys in the VFL and train with them, lift with them and effectively teach them how to become pros.

“Jordan has an interest in being a development coach in the future at AFL level and we think we can give him some good coaching experience here with our development program.”