But fast forward to 2014, the 21-year-old Western Storm forward is about to bring up his 50th State League match, missing only a couple of games along the way.

‘‘It’s nice little personal achievement,’’ Russell said of the milestone.

‘‘It’s the people around me, such as my two coaches Mitch Thorp and Mitch Hills, who have helped me get here that helped me by demanding the best out of me and ensuring I’m the best player possible, which has allowed me to stay in the side.’’

He described his own season as being ‘‘consistent’’ as he starts to spend more time up on the wing for the top of the ladder Storm.

‘‘I feel that I’m playing more of a role for the team and am more important to the side now,’’ he said.

Russell and his teammates will face off against Launceston tomorrow at Aurora Stadium, a contest  he felt was a ‘‘danger game’’ for the club, which were upset by the Blues in round 1.

‘‘I love playing against the Launceston-based sides, as it always adds something extra to the game.

‘‘Where they are on the ladder doesn’t matter when they play us, as they always find something extra, as they showed when they were able to knock us off earlier in the year.’’