2009 season
It was a groundhog year for the injury-plagued utility, only managing seven VFL matches this season.  After recovering from his third shoulder reconstruction, the 22-year-old made a return through the VFL in Round Six, impressing coaches with a role down back, before a sickening collision in the final minutes saw him miss two weeks with a fractured cheekbone.  Two consecutive appearances in the VFL were followed by another stint on the sidelines (seven weeks) with a hip flexor injury.

Rusling, who was drafted as a forward, could play a role down in defence next season after spending the majority of his time there in the VFL this year.

Career
Riddled by injury in his five-season stint at the Lexus Centre, the Magpies have kept the faith in the talented young key forward from South Australia, who has now conjured 18 senior games. He is strong overhead and possesses extraordinary speed. Suffered a broken collarbone late in his debut season when he played five games, and then a pre-season shoulder injury again curtailed his progress in 2006 before some promising performances late in the season. Few gave him hope of returning to the senior side in 2007 after a pre-season shoulder reconstruction, but he miraculously made it back, and not only that he made a significant impact. Luck failed Rusling in 2008 when he went down with another shoulder injury in round one forcing him to miss the entire season.  He had a delayed start to 2009 and in a positive sign, managed seven VFL matches and looks to have fully recovered from his shoulder problems.

Draft history:
2004 AFL Draft 2nd round selection (Collingwood) No. 23 overall