Rus takes aim as a gun

By Brad Kingsbury
EIGHTEENyear old Matthew Rus has already played on some of the best forwards in the Casey Cardinia League this year and his efforts have earned him the third nomination for the ‘2006 Gazette Young Gun’ award.
The young Cranbourne defender is in his first senior season after starting with the club’s under 14s.
He made his way through the grades as a midfielder or forward, but senior coach Brett McMaster identified his potential as a defender with the ability to attack and has thrown him many challenges.
These include marking Doveton and interleague goalsneak Ryan Hendy, Beaconsfield coach Haydn Robins and burly Hampton Park spearhead Kerem Baskaya on Saturday.
While not one to talk himself up, Rus’s efforts on those and several other experienced opponents have drawn high praise from both teammates and opposition and his short career is developing well.
He said he had enjoyed the challenges of senior football in the backline to date, but left his options open for a move up field in the future.
“I wouldn’t mind moving up into the midfield if I can get a bit fitter and stronger later on, but I have liked it down in defence so far. It’s been good,” he said.
Matt said that his under16 and under18 coach Joe Hackett, along with McMaster were the biggest influences on his career to date and he had not looked any further than developing his football with his young Cranbourne teammates at this stage.
“If I could go higher I’d love to, but I’d be happy to play at Cranny for the rest of my career,” he said.
“I love it down there, it’s good. We’ve got a good young team, but we’ll be alright in the future.”