The Blues have never been far from the news since they were bounced out of the finals by the Brisbane Lions in September last year.
Forward Brendan Fevola was traded after disgracing himself at the Brownlow Medal count while Eddie Betts, Ryan Houlihan and Andrew Walker were suspended for their part in the team’s unofficial Christmas breakup cruise.
But Russell says the team’s work on the track over summer has been exceptional despite the controversies.
“We haven’t forgotten about it but post-Christmas the players and coaches have all moved on. We are looking forward to our NAB Cup round one game against Sydney,” Russell said.
“We had our time trial the first day back and there were 20-odd blokes who ran PBs (personal bests). That’s a good sign of where we’re at and where our heads are at.”
Russell said the Blues would be able to cover Fevola’s goalkicking with a number of players.
“There are plenty of options up there. Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran are going to be crumbing up the front. Lachy Henderson is going to come down there and hopefully Jarrad Waite can set up there for a few every week as well,” he said.
“There have been a few boys floating around in the forward line drills. We’ll just have to see how that pans out.”
Russell spoke to the media after an intense game of water polo with his teammates at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
The Blues have embraced water polo as a cross-training exercise over summer and the 23-year-old said the benefits were showing.
“It’s actually pretty tough out there. It looks easy from the sidelines but it is a tough gig,” he said.
“It’s pretty good for the fitness to swim up and down. While you’re resting with the other boys and getting a few dunks here and there it is good for the cardio to keep going up and down.
“David Ellard is pretty good at it. Big Sammy Jacobs touches the bottom because he is about two and a half metres tall. Those boys are pretty good at it but the rest of us struggle.”
Jordan Russell averaged 73.84 points as a forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team last year.
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