By Jamie Devenish @jamie_devo
I remember watching an AFL game in my teens and remarking that the importance of ruckmen was over-rated. Then I played a game with Danny Russo. I was near the contest at a boundary throw in when Danny glared at me and then glanced at some space to his left. He out-bodied his larger opponent and palmed the ball on a dime to the clear patch of grass he’d just looked at. I got a kick.
As he ran out for his 300th game a couple of weeks ago I couldn’t help but ask why? Not why he’s put himself through the rigours of local football 300 times.
Not why he still does it occasionally at 42 years young. Not why he still looks fitter than most.
I wanted to know why he doesn’t do it for himself. The most amazing thing about this milestone is the fact he achieved it by giving to others. “Ask Danny” is a common phrase around the Den. Where others take, Danny gives.
There is a photo of Danny being forcibly carried off when he announced his retirement after we lost an elimination final to Heathmont in 2007. Yep…2007… The fact he’s played his 300th game some 7 years later isn’t like some John Farnham cash grab trying to pack out the Tennis Centre ‘one last time’. It’s because he’s always given everything his footy club and those around him ask of him. In 2008, he played again because we were contending and the coach felt we were a tall short. In 2011 he played because a doctor told him he couldn’t play competitive sport again and in 2012 an old team-mate got the coaching job and pleaded with him.
This time he gave because his long-time friend Rocket Morrison asked him to. He started the year on 297 games and despite his repeated refusal, Rocket kept asking “imagine how many people we could get to that home game”.
Before the game, his former coach Graham Gardiner reminded us of the time he was best on ground in our club’s only senior premiership. Life member and former teammate Andy Hayman shook his head in amazement at the thought of what Danny did for the club that Grand Final Day and for the 20 years since. He implored us not to let him down. As it turned out…we did, as a resurgent Kilsyth spoiled the party.
Danny smiled when he ran out on to the ground with his 2 gorgeous boys alongside him. He kicked a goal and the crowd went crazy. Afterwards he refused to be carried off saying “I had that in 2007”.
In the rooms, Danny was quick to point out again that the day wasn’t about him and that the milestone was just a good reason to get some of his old teammates (of which there are plenty) through the gate. He quoted the day’s gate and bar takings with pride like it was mission accomplished. It briefly wiped away some of the guilt of the defeat.
It was nice to be able to recognise Danny on the field because he gives so much off the field to a footy club that needs him.
Ruckmen are important but so are great people.
Especially the givers.