Sean Rusling
Encyclopedia
Sean Rusling is a former professional Australian rules football
player who played for in the Australian Football League
.
His career was plagued by injuries and only managed a total of seventeen games for Collingwood over the course of six years at the club.
in Adelaide, South Australia. He was recruited from West Adelaide
, and was drafted in the 2004 AFL Draft
by Collingwood in the second round, at No. 23 overall. He made his debut in 2005 against Hawthorn in an injury-riddled side, where he played six games before a shoulder injury ended his season, requiring surgery. He showed his explosive pace and impressive vertical leap to suggest he was a player of the future. With 2006 on the fringes, he re-injured the same shoulder in a pre-season match against Sydney
, forcing him out for the first three-four months. A return mid-season in the VFL
saw him return after the mid-season break.
After a somewhat injury-free pre-season, 2008 saw Rusling play round one against Fremantle
at the MCG
, but he suffered his fourth serious shoulder injury in as many seasons. Scans revealed the need for a reconstruction, and he missed the remainder of the 2008 season.
Rusling had been making steady progress on his rehabilitation during 2009, however during his VFL comeback match in May, Rusling fractured a cheekbone after a marking contest.
At the age of 23, Rusling announced his retirement from the AFL on 8 September 2010.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player who played for in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
His career was plagued by injuries and only managed a total of seventeen games for Collingwood over the course of six years at the club.
Background
A mid-sized forward with an athletics background, Rusling was educated at Westminster SchoolWestminster School, Adelaide
Westminster School is an independent, Uniting Church, Early Learning to Year 12, coeducational, day and boarding school located at Marion, South Australia, 12 km south of Adelaide. Founded as a Methodist day and boarding school for boys, the school was opened by the Prime Minister Robert...
in Adelaide, South Australia. He was recruited from West Adelaide
West Adelaide Football Club
West Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the South Australian National Football League . Commonly known as The Bloods and Westies, the clubs home base is City Mazda Stadium located in Richmond, an inner-western suburb of Adelaide.-Early Years :West Adelaide was formed in...
, and was drafted in the 2004 AFL Draft
2004 AFL Draft
The 2004 AFL Draft, concerning player acquisitions in the 2004/05 Australian Football League off-season, consisted of a trade period, a national draft, a pre-season draft, and the elevation of rookies...
by Collingwood in the second round, at No. 23 overall. He made his debut in 2005 against Hawthorn in an injury-riddled side, where he played six games before a shoulder injury ended his season, requiring surgery. He showed his explosive pace and impressive vertical leap to suggest he was a player of the future. With 2006 on the fringes, he re-injured the same shoulder in a pre-season match against Sydney
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
, forcing him out for the first three-four months. A return mid-season in the VFL
VFL
VFL can refer to:Sport* Victorian Football League, an Australian rules football league formerly known as the Victorian Football Association prior to 1996....
saw him return after the mid-season break.
Career
He played the last four games, including a final in 2006, damaging Port Adelaide in a half with three goals and many marks on the lead to continue his expectations. Expecting big things in 2007, Rusling once again required a shoulder reconstruction (on the other shoulder) in the pre-season, with his season ruled out. He did however play two half games in the VFL, before an encouraging round 20 comeback game against Melbourne. He kicked a goal in his return, but a week later he dominated the Sydney defence with four goals and 9 marks. He missed the next week with a thigh injury, but returned for finals, kicking another 3 goals against the Swans at the MCG. His ten goals in five games kept hope of a start to a great career.After a somewhat injury-free pre-season, 2008 saw Rusling play round one against Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
at the MCG
McG
Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer....
, but he suffered his fourth serious shoulder injury in as many seasons. Scans revealed the need for a reconstruction, and he missed the remainder of the 2008 season.
Rusling had been making steady progress on his rehabilitation during 2009, however during his VFL comeback match in May, Rusling fractured a cheekbone after a marking contest.
At the age of 23, Rusling announced his retirement from the AFL on 8 September 2010.