Sean Rusling is using the training camp in South Africa to put the finishing touches on his first full pre-season since being drafted at the end of

The 21-year-old, who has endured an injury-ravaged three-season career but confirmed his considerable ability with an excellent finish to the 2007 season, is one of the most athletically gifted players on the Collingwood list and virtually unstoppable when leading out of the forward line.

He spoke to CTV at the Elgro River Lodge, about half an hour out of Potchefstroom, where the boys spent a couple of nights earlier this week completing activities like a ropes course and kayaking, and said it’s a unique but special feeling being fully fit at this time of the year.

“The last couple of years I’ve been injured at this time of year, so it’s nice to be fully fit and feeling really good, and I can’t wait for the footy season to start,” Rusling exclaimed.

“Being injury free… it’s helped me a lot this pre-season. The past three (pre-seasons) I’ve pretty much been in and out, but I’ve done everything this time.”

Last Friday the team played an intra-club scratch match in Potchefstroom, and all in attendance were impressed with Rusling’s efforts playing deep in the forward line. The team will play another intra-club match in Potchefstroom this Saturday before heading to Dubai to take on Adelaide in the first game of the pre-season cup competition a week later.

“It’s good to get the first game away, everyone’s a little bit nervous, but it was a bit of fun.

“Training is training and I guess you get a little bit sick of it after a while, so it was good to get a game going, and we play again this Saturday, and it just feels good to be back playing footy again.”

Rusling explained the activities at the lodge were good for the boys as it brought everyone together and forced everyone to put their leadership qualities on display.

“It was more a mental challenge, than a physical challenge, and in the end you have to get the whole group through, without anybody touching the ground, and you have to plan that, there are a few things there that take a bit of thought.

“But I go through in the end, a lot of team work involved.”