FN Exclusive: Last roll of the dice for Rusling
Posted by Brent DiamondMar 21. 2010 11:03 am
COLLINGWOOD assistant coach Gavin Brown has described it as a “super important year” for injury-prone forward Sean Rusling as he attempts to make one last comeback from a long line of injuries.
The 23-year-old, who is loaded with potential, has managed just 17 matches in five seasons at the club and has been nursed through the pre-season as the club continues to take a cautious approach.
He played a half of football in a practice match last week and then three quarters against Coburg Tigers on Friday night and will play his first full game of football for more than a season in the Magpies VFL
teams’ next practice match on April 3.
Magpies assistant and VFL coach Gavin Brown said Rusling has had one of his better pre-seasons in his time at the club and will gain some confidence if he gets through his third consecutive match.
“I think everyone knows that it’s a pretty important year for him,” Brown said.
“The main thing Rusling can do is to get out and play most games and if he is able to get through week to week without getting any injuries.”
“He’s got through two in a row now so it looks positive. He’s started to get a bit of continuity into his training so it’s a obviously a super important year for him this year,” he said.
Brown said he expected Rusling to be pushing for senior selection as soon as round three of the AFL season.
“He’ll have a week off next week because we don’t play and then he’ll have his third game in a row in two weeks time and will probably up the game time once again apart from the normal rotations,” he said.
“It’s pretty exciting for him I reckon.”
“If he can get a bit of momentum particularly early in the season because he’s never really been able to do that, it’s going to go a long way I think,” he said.
By Brent Diamond
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