A mid-sized forward with an athletics background, Rusling was educated at Westminster School 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.
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 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 three goals against the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 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 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. Following two years living in Canada, Rusling returned to Australia and signed with South Australian Amateur Football League club Adelaide University.
