Sean Rusling

Infobox afl player


firstname = Sean
lastname = Rusling
| birthdate = birth date and age|1986|10|6|df=y
birthplace =
South Australia
originalteam = West Adelaide / Westminster School
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 10, 28 May 2005
debutteam = Collingwood
debutopponent = Hawthorn
debutstadium = Melbourne Cricket Ground
playingteams = Collingwood (2005-)

17 Games, 19 Goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2008
careerhighlights =

Sean Rusling (born 6 October 1986) is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.

A mid-sized forward with an athletics background, from West Adelaide, Rusling was drafted in the 2004 AFL Draft by Collingwood in the second round, at no.23 overall. He would make his debut in 2005 against Hawthorn in an injury-riddled side, where he would play six games before a shoulder injury would end 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 would re-injure 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 would see him return after the mid-season break.

He would play 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 would once again require 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 would dominate the Sydney defence with four goals and 9 marks. He would miss the next week with a thigh injury, but would return for finals, kicking another 3 goals against the Swans at the MCG. His ten goals in five games would keep hope of a start to a great career.

After a somewhat injury-free pre-season, 2008 would see Rusling play round one against Fremantle at the MCG, but he would silence the crowd with his fourth serious shoulder injury in as many seasons. Scans revealed the need for a reconstruction, and he will miss the rest of the season, and career on the crossroads.

Rusling was educated at Westminster School in Adelaide.

Trivia

*Rusling used to live with teammate Harry O'Brien. But they had a fallout.
*He now lives with teammates Nick Maxwell, Sharrod Wellingham and Sarita Stella, the latter whom he is in an open relationship with.

See also

* Collingwood Football Club roster 2006

External links

*Collplayer|ref=352292
*AflRleague|ref=S/Sean_Rusling.html