LUKE Russell seems to be fighting for his spot every week, but the Gold Coast utility is hellbent on being a permanent fixture of the improving Suns.
Russell plays his 50th game against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Sunday afternoon, but it's been a tough path for the 22-year-old.
A number of injuries over his four seasons have seen Russell in and out of Guy McKenna's squad for much of his time at the club.
He had an excellent 2013, playing 18 games, but two bouts of surgery in the off-season – both involving his hips – again put him on the back foot.
Forced to don the substitute's vest a number of times early this season, Russell forced his way into the starting 21 against St Kilda last Sunday and made the most of his chance.
His 21 disposals were the second most of his career, and Russell is hoping it helps him turn the corner.
"My spot does feel like I'm going to be pushed out at times," he said.
"It's the sort of thing that’s in the back of your head, but at the end of the day I just want to go out there and do the best I can as a teammate firstly, but then perform secondly.
"I want to be that player that can play consistently."
Russell was the man that kicked the match-winning goal for Gold Coast to record its first ever AFL victory (over Port Adelaide in 2011), and offers great run and a booming right boot playing mainly on the wing and half-forward.
He is out of contract at the end of this year, but is more concerned with staying in a team that is currently fifth and riding a four-game winning streak.
"I don't want to go anywhere. I want to be here and I want to play every week, but sometimes if my form's not great, I might have to go back to reserves," he said.
"I think that’s what makes a good team, you've got people coming up to push you out and then you've got to fight to keep your spot."
Russell said there was no chance of the Suns taking the Bulldogs lightly in their first match at home in four weeks.
"We're not ahead of ourselves at all, we just want to go out every week, be the best we can be and beat opposition teams," he said.
"We're a young competitive side and our first couple of years we were challenged a lot. We've had a lot of losses and now we're starting to get older and get that continuity into our game, we want to win every game and not let each other down."
