Russell keen to keep learning under Sezer and Gaskell

YOUNG half-back Oliver Russell says the chance to learn from former NRL star Aidan Sezer and Lee Gaskell is one of the reasons he has opted to extend his stay at Huddersfield Giants.
Huddersfield giants Oliver Russell lines up the ball during the Dacia Magic Weekend match of the Betfred Super League at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 25, 2019. See PA story RUGBYL Hull. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.Huddersfield giants Oliver Russell lines up the ball during the Dacia Magic Weekend match of the Betfred Super League at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 25, 2019. See PA story RUGBYL Hull. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.
Huddersfield giants Oliver Russell lines up the ball during the Dacia Magic Weekend match of the Betfred Super League at Anfield, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 25, 2019. See PA story RUGBYL Hull. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.

Russell, 21, has signed a new deal that will keep him at John Smith’s Stadium until the end of 2022.

Admittedly, he faces a battle to earn a place given the Fartowners have captain Sezer - their marquee signing from Canberra Raiders - and former Super League Grand Finalist Gaskell as their regular pairing.

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However, when given the opportunity, Russell has shown plenty of promise in the Claret and Gold since debuting in 2018.

Huddersfield Giants' Aidan Sezer celebrates his teams win against St Helens Saints, during the Betfred Super League match at the Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday March 6, 2020. See PA story RUGBYL St Helens. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.Huddersfield Giants' Aidan Sezer celebrates his teams win against St Helens Saints, during the Betfred Super League match at the Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday March 6, 2020. See PA story RUGBYL St Helens. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.
Huddersfield Giants' Aidan Sezer celebrates his teams win against St Helens Saints, during the Betfred Super League match at the Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens. PA Photo. Picture date: Friday March 6, 2020. See PA story RUGBYL St Helens. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use. No false commercial association. No video emulation. No manipulation of images.

He feels he can only prosper further under head coach Simon Woolford.

“I think the main reason I’ve resigned is that I’m happy at the club,” said the Oldham-born scrum-half, who is the son of former Castleford and Wigan hooker Richard Russell.

“I’m growing as a player under the coaching staff and I’m learning from the older players Lee Gaskell and Aidan Sezer which is helping my development.

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“There’s also a good bunch of young lads that can do something quite special if we stick together.

“Obviously seeing that Sam Hewitt, Jake Wardle, Innes Senior, Louis Senior and Jon-Luke Kirby re-signed made my decision so much easier.

“We had a decent side together at my last year in the Academy and it gives me hope that we can pull that form together (for the first team) in a couple of years.

“The club is also making some good moves elsewhere to bring in a crop of young players, and signing some great talents like Ashton Golding.

“I’m aiming to get a starting shirt in the half-backs.

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“While learning from Gaskell and Sezer will help me at the moment, I definitely want to fight for a starting shirt in the next couple of years.”

During lockdown, Huddersfield have been busily tying up some of their best young talent on new deals.

It is easy to understand why Russell, who possesses a wonderful left boot, is excited about the future.

Woolford, too, is pleased to know he has secured the player’s signature for the next couple of years.

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He said: “Russ’ is obviously a very important part of our future. In the opportunities he’s had to date, he’s always accounted himself very well.

“Currently he needs to remain patient, bide his time and learn as much as he can from Seze and Gasky. I know when he gets his next opportunity he won’t let anyone down; we have full trust in Ollie and know he can get the job done.

“We are lucky to have most of our great younger brigade now tied up, we see Ollie as an important part of that group moving forward.”

Russell had made just one appearance this term before the sport shutdown due to coronavirus in March.

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That was in the Challenge Cup loss to Toronto Wolfpack but he is sure to feature again at some point when play resumes.

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