Russell Jeffrey
Encyclopedia
Russell Jeffrey is a former Australian rules football
er who played with St Kilda and the Brisbane Bears
in the Victorian/Australian Football League
(VFL/AFL).
Jeffrey, a former St Marys
junior, started his VFL career at Geelong
and with the exception of one night match spent all of his time in the reserves. A serious knee injury looked to have ended his league career and he left Victoria, only to be called up by St Kilda to play a game in 1987.
After playing 14 games for St Kilda in 1988, Jeffrey again left the state, spending the 1989 season in New South Wales with Jerilderie
.
He was re-signed by St Kilda in the 1990 preseason draft, with the 23rd draft pick. Used mostly as a defender, Jeffrey had his best season in 1990, not missing a single game and averaging just under 16 disposals. Although he had represented the Northern Territory in the 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival
, he played State of Origin
football for Victoria in 1990.
At the end of the 1991 season, Jeffrey was traded to the Brisbane Bears and on debut became the 100th footballer to play for the club.
In 1992 he returned to his former club Wanderers
and would win the Chaney Medal when he captained them to a win in the 1992/93 NTFL
grand final.
He coached Wanderers until 1997, during which time he was also coach of the territory's Teal Cup side and the league's representative team. Joining Palmerston as playing coach in 1998, he steered the club to four consecutive grand finals. He coached their 2000/01 and 2001/02 premiership sides.
Jeffrey is an Indigenous Australian and represented the Indigenous All-Stars in 1994.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with St Kilda and the Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
in the Victorian/Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL/AFL).
Jeffrey, a former St Marys
St Marys Football Club
The St Marys Football Club, nicknamed, Saints, formed in 1952 is a member club of the Northern Territory Football League. It is famous for its record of success, with 28 NTFL premierships and 55 out of 57 possible final appearances....
junior, started his VFL career at Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
and with the exception of one night match spent all of his time in the reserves. A serious knee injury looked to have ended his league career and he left Victoria, only to be called up by St Kilda to play a game in 1987.
After playing 14 games for St Kilda in 1988, Jeffrey again left the state, spending the 1989 season in New South Wales with Jerilderie
Jerilderie Football Club
Jerilderie Football Club is an Australian Rules Football club that plays in the Picola & District Football League. The club is located in Jerilderie, New South Wales, a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales...
.
He was re-signed by St Kilda in the 1990 preseason draft, with the 23rd draft pick. Used mostly as a defender, Jeffrey had his best season in 1990, not missing a single game and averaging just under 16 disposals. Although he had represented the Northern Territory in the 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival
1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival
The 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival was the 22nd edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football State of Origin competition. Australia was celebrating its Bicentenary in 1988 so the carnival was known as the 'Bicentennial Carnival'...
, he played State of Origin
State of Origin
State of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
football for Victoria in 1990.
At the end of the 1991 season, Jeffrey was traded to the Brisbane Bears and on debut became the 100th footballer to play for the club.
In 1992 he returned to his former club Wanderers
Wanderers Football Club
The Wanderers Football Club, nicknamed, Eagles, is a member club of the Northern Territory Football League.-History:The club was formed in 1916 and was a founding member of the NTFL.It has produced AFL players such as Shannon Motlop and Bruce Dwyer....
and would win the Chaney Medal when he captained them to a win in the 1992/93 NTFL
Northern Territory Football League
The Northern Territory Football League is an 8 team Australian rules football semi-professional league operating in Darwin in the Northern Territory.The premier grade is the largest Australian rules football league in the Northern Territory...
grand final.
He coached Wanderers until 1997, during which time he was also coach of the territory's Teal Cup side and the league's representative team. Joining Palmerston as playing coach in 1998, he steered the club to four consecutive grand finals. He coached their 2000/01 and 2001/02 premiership sides.
Jeffrey is an Indigenous Australian and represented the Indigenous All-Stars in 1994.