Carlton set to poach Hawthorn’s premiership fitness chief Andrew Russell
CARLTON is on the verge of a major coup with Hawthorn fitness boss Andrew Russell, who is Alastair Clarkson’s right-hand man, asking for a release from his Hawks contract so he can switch to Ikon Park.
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CARLTON is on the verge of poaching Hawthorn’s premiership fitness chief Andrew Russell in one of the biggest off-field moves of the year.
The Herald Sun has confirmed Russell has asked Hawthorn to be released from his contract for next season after 14 years at Waverley.
And he could be a trump card in the Blues’ battle to pip the Hawks for Greater Western Sydney midfield jet Dylan Shiel.
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Shiel is being pursued by Hawthorn, Carlton, St Kilda and Essendon and could decide on his new home as early as Monday.
Hawks chiefs will meet with Russell on Monday in a bid to convince one of Alastair Clarkson’s chief lieutenants to stay on.
But it appears Russell will almost certainly join Brendon Bolton’s outfit by the end of the year in a huge boost to the Blues.
Hawthorn, which re-signed Clarkson until 2022 on Saturday night, will find it hard to stand in Russell’s way out of respect to his enormous contribution to the club’s golden premiership reign.
The Hawks have also poached Sam Mitchell from West Coast despite having two more years to run on his contract with the Eagles.
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Russell is the most respected fitness chief in the league, having helped mend Shaun Burgoyne’s and Jaeger O’Meara’s major knee problems.
But Russell is keen on a fresh challenge at Ikon Park as the Blues feel pressure to rise sharply up the ladder next season.
Sources said on Sunday Russell was worth in excess of $400,000 a year to a new club given his excellent track record of managing players’ fitness and injuries.
Russell’s appointment would be a significant early win for Carlton’s new football boss Brad Lloyd two months into his tenure.
The Blues wanted to make changes in their fitness and medical department to support their talented young list.
But it is a blow for the Hawks who are tipped to elevate Russell’s assistant Luke Boyd to fill the void.
Russell was fitness boss at Port Adelaide for the 2004 premiership and followed Clarkson to Hawthorn shortly after.
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