THE Carlton Football Club is pleased to announce that Jordan Russell, a former player and veteran assistant, has joined the club.
Russell returns to IKON Park after a decade of coaching at both the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne.
The move comes as the Club looks to strengthen its coaching staff ahead of the 2024 AFL season.
Russell will take over the Blues’ forward line, letting Ashley Hansen to focus on his responsibilities as Senior Assistant to AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss.
The extra help will provide Hansen the ability to oversee the coaches’ box on game day, working closely with the Senior Coach on the interchange bench, while also focusing on the team’s offense.
Russell’s appointment reunites him with Hansen, who led Footscray to the VFL premiership as captain and coach, respectively, in 2016.
Aaron Hamill and Tim Clarke will continue as backline and midfield coaches, respectively, as will Luke Power as VFL coach, who will be actively assisted in the development program by Tom Lonergan, Brad Ebert, and Tory Baker. As Head of Coaching and Performance, Aaron Greaves will oversee the development program.
Russell, the ninth pick in the 2004 draft, played 116 games for Carlton (2005-2012), finishing second in the John Nicholls Medal in 2010 and was appointed to the leadership group in 2011.
After concluding his playing career at Collingwood for a season, he joined Footscray in 2014 as a VFL-listed player and AFL developmental coach, captaining the side to the first of two premierships that season.
Russell resigned from playing at the conclusion of 2017, transferring fully into a coaching job with the Bulldogs, first as a development coach before taking over as midfield coach and transitioning in 2020.
Russell spent six years as a development coach with the Western Bulldogs, including the 2016 AFL Premiership, before moving to North Melbourne, where he has spent the last three seasons as midfield and stoppage coach.
The 36-year-old offers 10 years of coaching experience, as well as a level 3 coaching accreditation and a Graduate Certificate in Sports Coaching from the University of Queensland.
Russell expressed his excitement at the prospect of returning to Carlton as a coach.
“Some of my best football memories are with the Carlton Football Club, so it is very exciting to be coming back to IKON Park,” Russell said in a statement.
“I am impressed with the football club’s direction and what it is attempting to build – one thing that became clear during the process was how aligned the Club is on its direction and what is required to put itself in the best possible position to succeed.”
“It is a coaching group with a lot of experience, led by Michael Voss and I already have a great relationship with Ash, so the opportunity to bring my strengths to what the program already has, to help us go to another level, is really exciting.”
Russell, according to General Manager of Football Brad Lloyd, will be a valuable asset to the football club, and the new structure will provide stronger assistance throughout the entire coaching staff.
“As a Club, we are always looking at ways we can evolve and strengthen our football department and we recognised an opportunity to add to our coaching group by bringing in Jordan’s skillset and his 10 years of experience,” Lloyd told the club’s website.
“Jordan already has a long and successful working relationship with Ash, so the transition to the forward group will be smooth, and we are excited to see Ash thrive in his new role as Senior Assistant.”
“We were very pleased with how well our coaching group worked together last season, and by now strengthening and streamlining roles across the group, we know we are set up to provide the AFL playing group with every opportunity to get the best players.”
“We are excited to welcome Jordan back to Carlton and he will get to work immediately with our coaching group to shape our pre-season program.”
AFL Senior Coach: Michael Voss, Carlton 2024 coaching group
Ash Hansen, senior assistant coach
Aaron Greaves is the Head of Coaching and Performance.
Jordan Russell is the offensive line coach.
Aaron Hamill is the backline coach.
Tim Clarke is the midfield coach.
Ruck coach: Matthew Kreuzer
VFL Coach: Luke Power
Development Program Manager: Brad Ebert
Development and Talent Manager: Tom Lonergan
Development coach: Torin Baker
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