Career
Football
Educated at De Louisiana Salle College, Russo captained his school to a premiership in 1944. He was recruited to locally from Elwood. As well as playing for Elwood CYMS he also played some of his early football for Footscray Technical School Old Boys.
Russo, who worked as a physical education instructor, debuted for Street Kilda at the age of 23 in the 1950 VFL season.
Used as a wingman, he played eight games in his first season of VFL football. In the 1951 season he made six appearances for Street Kilda.
Following his two seasons at Street Kilda, Russo played with Victorian Football Association (VFA) club Sandringham. Under the coaching of Tommy Lahiff, Russo captained Sandringham in 1954.
Personal life
Russo is of Italian descent.
He is related to many past and present league football players. Another daughter, Jenny, also married a football player, Richmond and South Melbourne defender Ray Balliol Two sons, Luke and Matthew, played in the American Federation of Labor-Congress.
