Premier Cricket: Dean Russ replaces Michael O’Keefe as Footscray’s leading run-scorer

Footscray champion Dean Russ has spoken of the emotional moment he became the leading run-scorer in the Premier Cricket club’s history and addressed his future.

Dean Russ is the most prolific batsman in Footscray’s history. Picture: Mark Dadswell

DECORATED Footscray champion Dean Russ has spoken of the emotional moment he became the leading run-scorer in the Premier Cricket club’s history.

The 32-year-old crafted his 14th First XI century — and second this season — against Ringwood in Round 5, overtaking Michael O’Keefe’s mark of 7194 runs in the process.

Russ has been at Merv Hughes Oval for the past 15 years and has been the club’s most highly-regarded figure through that period, leading the Dogs to their 2013-14 premiership triumph.

He has been a model of consistency, scoring over 500 runs in each of the past six summers and a massive 831 in the same season Footscray claimed the ultimate prize.

“I suppose when you’re in the moment of the game, you sort of lose sight of what’s going on and all the other external noise,” Russ said of his milestone.

“But I must admit when I surpassed it, it was a little bit emotional with the support you get from everyone at the club and knowing your friends and family were there to witness it.

“It was a very special moment, not just for me but for all the friends and family that have been on the journey with me.”

Russ was in his first season at the Dogs when O’Keefe replaced Ken Eastwood, who played one Test for Australia in 1971, as Footscray’s most prolific batsman.

Both were watching on as vice-captain Russ took the mantle, with O’Keefe even giving throwdowns to the left-hander before his superb innings.

Dean Russ racks up more runs for Footscray. Picture: Hamish Blair

“I love Footscray,” Russ said.

“I think the veins sort of bleed a bit of red, white and blue. You get a bit emotional talking about it because I’ve spent half my life there.

“It’s about the friendships, really, and everything else is pretty secondary. It’s about the memories, having a beer with your mates and enjoying club and individual successes with your friends.

“I’ve got a lot of lifelong mates and a lifelong memories, and it’s certainly a second home.”

Russ played two Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria in 2014, returning 77 runs from three innings with a best of 47.

Dogs coach Stan Nell rates him as “a really good first-class cricketer playing Premier Cricket”.

But priorities have changed for Russ, who is now working as a coaching and talent development manager at Cricket Victoria and is father to one-year-old son Thomas.

He is also training once a week, but it has not hurt his form, with Russ plundering 360 runs at 72 from his first five matches of 2018-19.

Dean Russ with his 72nd run today has become Footscray CC highest First XI run scorer, passing Michael O’Keefe 7,194. Congratulations Russy @vicpremcricket pic.twitter.com/dTjIZmQFfd

— FootscrayCricketClub (@footscc) November 10, 2018

“It’s just trying to get work-life balance now,” Russ said.

“Instead of rushing around everywhere and not actually giving enough time to either work, home or training, I just can focus in on the Thursday and enjoy it and be relaxed.

“If you get the balance right, cricket sort of takes care of itself. It’s been very good that our coach and committee understand that.

“But when I’m there, I love being there and do as much coaching as possible.”

Footscray has endured a patchy start to the campaign and Russ said the club was in a “development year” after waving goodbye to Tim Buszard, Ben Green, Hayden Butterworth and Guy Walker over the off-season.

He said he has no plans to call time on his Premier career just yet.

“I still want to keep playing for as long as I can and while I’m still enjoying it,” Russ said.

“It’s exciting being in a new wave at Footscray. We’ve got a new generation coming through, so you want to try and help and assist where possible and watch them get games into them and become bona fide First XI cricketers.

“We’re in a different phase at the moment, so I’d like to still play for as long as I can, but it’s certainly a year-by-year proposition.”