By Oliver Lees
Rupertswood Football Club’s forward line could soon be bolstered by former AFL star Russell Robertson in division 1 of the Essendon District Football League.
Robertson was listed as pending on the EDFL’s clearance list for transfer to Rupo from the Eastern Football League on June 23.
Rupo coach Arron Bray said the club was still trying to determine a timeline for his debut.
“We’re still working out when his first availability will be, we’re not 100 per cent sure when that will be,” he said.
“He still works at the Melbourne Football Club which makes working out the logistics more difficult.”
Robertson played 228 games for the Demons between 1997 and 2009.
He took out the Demons best and fairest award in 2003 and was one of just four players in the club’s history to have led the goal kicking in four or more seasons.
The 42-year-old finished his career fourth on the Demons all time goal kicking list (419), behind David Neitz (631), Norm Smith (546) and Garry Lyon (426).
It was a sluggish restart to Rupo’s 2021 campaign in round 8 against Hillside, as Bray’s side went down to 49 to 57.
Rupo were sitting in seventh place on the ladder with two wins and six losses after round 8.
Bray said he was proud of his side given the difficulties they’d faced throughout the season.
“Everyone was very excited to get out there, but it definitely did still felt a bit weird after some weeks out of the game,” he said.
“I’m really proud of this group. With the amount of injuries we’ve had to senior players we’ve maybe had six or seven debutants so far this year.
“It’s a young group and we’ve had a handful of matches where we’re just not quite getting there.”
Rupo’s last win came in round 6 when they outlasted Roxburgh Park 82 to 58.
Four of their eight games have been settled by less than three goals, including a point lost to the Sunbury Kangaroos in round 3.
With COVID-19 restrictions relaxed last Friday Rupo spectators were allowed back at games over the weekend, with a total of 1000 people allowed at matches.
Speaking before their match against top of the table East Keilor, Bray said he was looking forward to the challenge.
“Crowds are back even quicker than we were expecting, it’ll be great for people to have a beer and pie at the game again,” he said.
“It’ll be a real challenge, but we’re looking forward to seeing how we go against the top side.”
