View highlights of the new Magpie above.
Collingwood and Carlton struck an in-principle deal this morning that will see Russell become a Magpie in exchange for a fourth round selection, pick 71, in the upcoming national draft. The pick had earlier been received from the Western Bulldogs for Tom Young. The necessary documentation will be lodged with the AFL tomorrow, the final day of the trade period.
Russell twice finished top six in the Carlton best and fairest award - he was runner-up to Chris Judd in 2010 - and seemed destined for a long and distinguished career with the Blues, where he played 116 matches across eight seasons but only seven in 2012. He was recruited out of South Australia in the 2004 national draft at pick nine.
National recruiting manager, Derek Hine, described Russell as a potentially elite player looking for a new start.
“The facts are Jordan is only 25 years of age, a top 10 draft pick in his year and a player with attributes you would expect of a high order selection,” Hine said.
“He finished top six in Carlton’s best and fairest twice and being a versatile type of player he can give us real flexibility through the half-back/wing areas. He is keen to re-establish himself and he was very keen to come to Collingwood. We think we can help Jordan recapture his best and if that happens he will be a very good footballer for us.”
In the trade period to date, Collingwood has effectively swapped Tom Young for Russell, recruited Clinton Young and Quinten Lynch as free agents and received first round draft picks, now 18 and 21, for Sharrod Wellingham and Chris Dawes.
