The home-and-away fixture still dominates the life of sports broadcaster Dwayne Russell in more ways than one.
Words: JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Photos: TOMMY RITCHIE
Football is full-on for the former Geelong Cats AFL player when he’s away working but it barely rates a mention at home.
“There’s no real off-season for football these days but summer is a nice time to be in Geelong,” he observes.
“The coast comes into its own, I get to spend more time with my family and I have my weekends back.
“I love this time of year – it’s the best.”
His family’s nonchalance about Dwayne’s football roles, past and present, has helped him remain down-to-earth.
“There’s no memorabilia in the house – I don’t even have any videos of myself playing. My kids have never seen videos of my playing days,” Dwayne smiles.
“My wife, Lisa, and kids aren’t interested in anything I do as broadcaster.
“They wouldn’t have watched a minute of the last year. They’re just not that into their footy but that’s okay because we have other interests.
“I could put 15 footballs on the lounge room floor and (son) Joss would walk around them, he wouldn’t even notice they were there.
“I can’t make them do something they don’t want to do but as a parent I just want to give them opportunities to find out what they’re good at.”
Dwayne is undoubtedly proud that 16-year-old Joss and daughter Summer, 13, have chosen their own directions – and that they don’t involve sport.
Joss plays piano and sings in a cover-band called Where’s Joss, while Summer appeared as an extra in the recent Channel 10 Julian Assange telemovie, Underground.
It’s not that Dwayne’s football career has faded totally into the background, however.
“I do cherish that time and I look back on it fondly because it helped me get to where I am now.
“Back in my playing days the game was ruthless, it was nasty and cutthroat. Even television isn’t as ruthless and cutthroat as back when was playing.
“You almost had to be nasty because it was a violent game when I was playing. It’s so much better now, much less violent.
“I loved the club – my five years at Geelong was a good time and I love this town.”
