COROWA-Rutherglen veteran Kade Kuschert says he’s the fittest he’s been in a decade, prompting him to put retirement plans on the backburner.
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The 31-year-old, who made his debut as a skinny teenager against Wangaratta Rovers in 2000, will play his 250th game against the Magpies at the John Foord Oval on Saturday.
“I set myself a goal to play at the highest level I could, for as long as I could,” Kuschert said.
“The body is feeling good.
“I’ve got a bit of a hunger for it now and I’m probably the fittest I’ve been for 10 years – probably a little bit stronger, too.”
That’s bad news for the O and M’s key forwards.
Kuschert started as one of ‘them’ in the juniors, just like his father Trevor, who played for the Roos and Buraja in the Coreen league.
But Kuschert found a niche in the backline under Peter Tossol, who coached Corowa-Rutherglen to flags in 2000 and 2003.
“He taught me a lot about footy,” Kuschert said.
“He’s the one that brought that success. You always go back to that guy who gave you that chance.
“He never really gave you sprays, more constructive criticism.”
Kuschert wasn’t part of the 2000 premiership win over North Albury, but he was among the Roos’ best in their 35-point grand final win over Wodonga three seasons later.
There were some big names in that side – Ricky Symes, Brad Campbell, Brendan Eyers and Carl Dickins to name a few – but Kuschert doesn’t measure success purely by winning.
“Obviously that success is what you play for, but seeing the kids develop gives you satisfaction as well,” he said.
“There’s a few kids I coached playing senior footy and that ranks pretty highly.”
Kuschert, who grew up in the Corowa area, represented the O and M several times, and pulled on the NSW jumper at the national titles in 2012.
The former Murray Bushranger wants to be remembered as a player who got the most out of himself.
“Just as someone who did his bit for his club and tried to get the best out of himself,” Kuschert said.
“I was never one chasing accolades or anything, knew I had a role to play.
“But I wanted to make sure we had success, whether that’s winning games or teaching kids how to play.”
While the Roos will be wanting to win for Kuschert, the Magpies will be hoping to celebrate Matt Kelly’s milestone game with a win.
The Magpies co-captain – who won the O and K’s Baker Medal in 2008 during a stint with Bright - will play his 150th match
Michael Bordignon returns from his four-match suspension for making contact with an umpire.
