On 11 October 2018, Russell signed a two-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys.[9] He did not make his NRL debut in 2019, spending the entire season playing for the Cowboys' Queensland Cup feeder club, the Mackay Cutters. He was elevated into the Cowboy's top 30 squad for the 2020 season, after spending 2019 in the development squad.[10]
On 2 October 2019, Russell represented Papua New Guinea at the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s. [11] On 9 November 2019, Russell made his Test debut for Papua New Guinea in their 20–22 loss to Fiji. On 16 November 2019, he started at second-row in Papua New Guinea's 28–10 win over Great Britain in Port Moresby.[12]
In February 2020, Russell was a member of the Cowboys' 2020 NRL Nines winning squad.[13] On 3 October 2020, the Cowboys announced that Russell would be departing the club at the end of the season without ever playing a first grade game. He missed the entire 2020 season after tearing his pectoral muscle.[14] In 2021, he joined the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup.[15]
Russell was named in the PNG squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and played in all 4 of their matches during the tournament, scoring tries against Tonga and Wales[16] In November 2022, Russell signed a train-and-trial contract with the St. George Illawarra Dragons for the 2023 pre-season.[17] In round 19 of the 2023 NRL season, he made his first grade debut for St. George Illawarra against the Canberra Raiders which ended in a 36-26 loss.[18]
On 11 September 2024, it was announced that Russell would be departing St. George Illawarra after not being offered a new contract.[19]