Due to many injuries he would give up playing Basketball in 2008 and focus on Australian rules football solely.

His form for Burnie in 2008 would earn him a spot in the Tasmanian team that competed in the Australian U16 Championships and was given an AIS scholarship later that year.

In his second game for the Gold Coast he would come on as a substitute and kick the winning goal in the club's first ever AFL victory.

Russell, along with fellow former AFL player, Mav Weller, joined the Penguin Football Club as coach-players for the 2021 season.

[3] Luke won The Penguin Football Club's Tommy Kaine Medal in 2021 for The Best and Fairest.