Australian Football

Recruited from Frankston Peninsula, Russell Greene made his VFL debut for St Kilda as a 16-year-old in 1974. He played 120 league games for the Saints, and kicked 52 goals, impressing as a pacy, hard running player with plenty of intelligence and resourcefulness. He performed even better with Hawthorn, where he moved in 1980, winning a club best and fairest in 1984, and playing in three premiership teams.

Greene made five state appearances for Victoria, including one as captain, and achieved All Australian selection in 1983, 1984 and 1985. He won the prestigious VFL Players Association Most Valuable Player award in 1984, and in the same year won the Peter Crimmins Trophy as Hawthorn's best and fairest player. Greene retired at the end of the 1988 season after 184 VFL games and 82 goals for the Hawks. Upon his retirement he was awarded VFL (now AFL) life membership. For the next three seasons he coached the Hawks' Under 19s side.

In 2015, Greene was inducted into the Hawthorn Football Hall of Fame, a fitting acknowledgement of his contributions to the club.

Author - John Devaney, with additional information by Andrew Gigacz