On the verge of 500 senior games: Corowa’s record senior game holder Kade Kuschert (left) will play his 349th game this Saturday July 13 and captain Joe Hansen his 150th against Wodonga. The following week, against and at Yarrawonga, it will be Kusch’s 350th, which will mean the pair will have notched up 500 senior games between them with the Roos.
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club’s record senior football games holder Kade Kuschert will play his 350th senior game on Saturday week against and at Yarrawonga, and Roos’ captain Joe Hansen will play his 150th senior match this Saturday at home, against Wodonga.
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That’s a total of 500 senior games for the highly respected and popular pair at Corowa and throughout the Ovens and Murray league.
Ovens and Murray Football Netball League Chair David Sinclair said the Kuschert name has been synonymous with Corowa-Rutherglen over many years.
“It’s fitting that Kade becomes the first to play 350 games,” Mr Sinclair told The Free Press. “It’s an outstanding achievement and testament to his loyalty to stick with Corowa through the good and bad.
“The league congratulates Kade on an outstanding achievement and wish him well in his milestone game.”
The O and M chair said that Joe has been a proud and loyal servant over many years and has been an outstanding captain and leader for Corowa.
“It was fitting that Joe was the first to put his hand up to re-sign as part of the club’s 2024 reset,” Mr Sinclair said. “The league congratulates Joe reaching the 150-game milestone.”
Almost there! It’s game number 349 for Kade Kuschert who was pictured with sons Judd (left), Hudson and Leo with the footy, and daughter Florence before training.
Kade Kuschert
“Playing 350 means a heap to me but I don’t think it’ll really set in until I finish up,” he told The Free Press.
“To be the only one from Corowa definitely means a lot. I just wanted to play the best standard I could for as long as I could. I was lucky to find a club that supported me and gave me the opportunity to pursue my career.”
Footy has changed so much since Kuschert’s debut he said, going from being very hard and contested footy, to an open and free flowing style.
Rule changes made him change the way he approached the game regarding chopping of the arms and “very forward-friendly freekicks, making it very difficult as a defender”, the 40-year-old Corowa born and bred farm hand said.
Playing in two premierships, the thirds then the senior premiership in 2003 are highlights. “One of the most enjoyable highlights I’ve had is actually the opportunity with my son Judd. We’ve got three games so far which was fantastic. I had that opportunity with my dad when I was a kid.
“And just to see progress in the club and see a lot of kids that have come through the junior program and through the under 18s - and then been out to there to share their senior experience with them as well; watch them develop into ripping young footballers are also highlights.”
Some of the best footballers Kusch? “It’s hard to go past Damian Houlihan, seeing him run around, kicking all those goals. As my career progressed and made the switch to defence you look at the game differently so guys like Craig Tafft and Beau Longmire stand out a lot more, also I tried to base my game as much as I could on their style,” he said.
“Taffty is probably one of the better footballers going around from his generation – his exceptional speed and ability to cut the ball off and just his defence presence was exceptional so I tried to base my game on that and then with Beau Longmire he was at one of our leaders of the time I was coming through early and his ability to get the most out of himself - he always gave 100 per cent.”
Wodonga’s Darren Bradshaw was Kuschert’s toughest opponent. “His strength was unbelievable. It didn’t matter what we tried. You just couldn’t move him and he could kick goals from anywhere. We had some really good battles. Dan McAllister from Albury and Raiders….there were lots of good plays over the whole journey.”
Of the several coaches Kuschert has played under, he said the biggest influence was Peter Tossal. “His ability to get every ounce of effort out of me as a young fella coming through probably helped me have the career that I’ve had.”
Special mention was also made in respect of previous coach Peter German. “He was a lot more driven so he got a lot out of young kids and young kids really responded to that being a lot more professional and then you go back to Brad Campbell and Bryce Cambell - they had VFL experience so they brought a lot to the club experience wise.
“There have been numerous coaches and everyone of them, including current coach Steve Owen, has done a very good job. I think ultimately they’ve all helped the senior side progress and helped the club progress.”
Kuschert loves the Corowa Football Netball Club. “My love for it is definitely immense. It’s been a massive part of my life 25 seasons now.
“It was such a sad time the club did not field a side last year. As soon as they made that call I said them straight away once we get up and going again I’ll be one of the first to put my hand up to help out.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be in any senior capacity this year. I was happy enough just to run around in the twos and make up a few numbers and do my part that way, and just sort of help with the juniors.
“But as it unfolded the senior squad needed more help and I was more than happy to help out. I think what makes such a strong club is our volunteers and the people willing to put the hand up to help out to do whatever was necessary to get the club back in the Ovens and Murray.
“Having our club in the Ovens and Murray is the best thing that we can do for the area for young aspiring footballers and netballers. Is it giving those young kids a pathway to get better.”
Best representation of a club
Kuschert promotes the Roos. “I don’t think you get a better representation of a country club in a high tier football environment. You have the ability to play against some of the state’s best footballers but also have that small country club where everyone knows everyone and it’s just a good friendly environment to be.
“I think the future looks very bright. Hopefully we can get some movement on our clubrooms and our facilities going forward. I don’t think we can get a better environment to play football - once you get a full crowd in there on Easter Saturday or the June long weekend with a full crowd around the ground, trees all around everywhere - it really is an amazing atmosphere.”
About the Roos’ captain, Joe Hansen, Kuschert said: “Joe is Corowa through and through, a very talented junior who came through all our programs and has progressed to be one of the best footballers going around our area.
“He could walk into any other Ovens and Murray club and be in their starting 18 very easily. He is just loyalty at its best, he was the first to put his hand up once Corowa said they’ll come back in the comp.
“I had the pleasure of coaching Joe back in the under 18s. He was a very light footballer but highly talented. He had everything from the high speckies to the soft touch kicking and all skills were exceptional.
“I’ve had the privilege playing in probably 90 per cent of his 150 games. Joe is the heart and soul of Corowa/Rutherglen football club so. I hope a lot of the younger fellas can jump on board with him and help carry the club to bigger and greater things.”
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club President Graham Hosier praised Kuschert for his loyal service to the club.
“He was a premiership player back in 2003. After last year (club being in recess in 2023 due to shortage of players and the result of October 2022’s devastating floods on the clubrooms) we didn’t know what could happen – Kade came out of ‘retirement’ so to speak. He wanted to help the club get back on its feet. He’s brilliant. He bleeds for the club.”
Joe Hansen
Corowa’s inspirational captain Joe Hansen.
Kuschert is “a stalwart of the club, a legend of the club” according to Hansen. “It’s an absolute honour and pleasure to play with him,” captain Joe said.
“Kusch has been a tremendous player and so deserving of 350 games and the club’s record holder of senior games played. He’s battled on through the past ten years with the club struggling. He’s now playing in the same team as his son, Judd like Kade did with his dad. His dad (Trevor) would be so proud of both of them.”
On the eve of leading out the team in his milestone 150th game with the Roos, Hansen told The Free Press: “It’s an absolute honour and something I’ll cherish forever. I love the place and the people involved, and stoked that I get the opportunity after the last 12 or so months.
“It’s taken a little longer than usual with Covid, injuries and the reset but couldn’t be happier to play 150 games for my home club.”
Hansen’s debut game back in 2011 against Myrtleford (“It is still pretty special and I thought Kush was old back then!”), his 100th game, playing with his brother Bill.
“Playing finals back in 2014, being appointed captain and probably my favourite win of my career round 1 in 2018 when we beat Rovers to snap the team’s two year losing streak and the first game back from the reset this season are his highlights.”
Captain since 2019, it’s a role cherished by Hansen who has been a runner up best and fairest and third a few times. He’s been a versatile player, starting forward as a youngster then really broke out when played some footy on the wing and eventually found his way to the half back line - which is where he’s played most. The leader has kicked around 100 goals in his career.
Due to Corowa’s reset, Hansen played one season with Lavington in 2023; his 15 games with the Panthers means this Saturday’s game against the Wodonga Bulldogs will be his 165th O and M league game.
Asked about the best players he’s seen, Hansen said he has witnessed some special players. “I was a bit young at the time of our last flags to really understand,” he said. “I remember watching the likes of Jake Ryan and Dave Clarke running around and doing as they please, then the local legends like Kusch, Dasher, Wiz, Fendo and Cade Mills and all those guys.
“The league has had some superstars and hard to nail all of them. Hardest opponent I’ve played on personally would be Cal Moore (Wangaratta). Just his pure athleticism and strength is something that can’t be matched.”
The feeling around the club at present is great according to the captain. “It’s nice to be back on John Foord doing the things we love,” he said.
“It hasn’t been the season we would like without a win, but the big picture is Corowa Rutherglen is back playing footy and that’s what we love. The group is really connecting and it’s enjoyable to be around the place.
“The club is really trying to plan for the future so we can remain in the O&M and be competitive. The next generation of players is really exciting with the two Eyers boys, Jedd Longmire, Tom Forrest and all these guys playing some really good footy.
“Hopefully we can keep most of them and the juniors coming through stick around and we can see some success in the future.”
Corowa Football Netball Club has a lot to offer, Hansen said. “I’m pretty biased but it’s a great club with some great people involved. We’ve got the best ground and most passionate supporters within the league.
“It’s a place for everyone and something that we’ve been working on especially as a playing group to welcome in anyone. It’s great to be a part of the come-back story, it’s only the beginning and never too late to jump on board.”
Born in Corowa, Joe, who turned 30-years-of-age last Saturday, July 7, will “definitely stay” on board, saying: “One hundred per cent, I’ll be back next year, I’m all in for 2025.”
