A Berwick Football Club best-and-fairest winner and premiership captain in the Eastern Football League, Rutherford signed on the dotted line thanks to his relationship with current Cats assistant coach Darren Ogier.
Spending time under Ogier during his four-year spell at VFL club Casey Demons, Rutherford said he could not wait to join the club in mid-February.
“The coaching set-up was a huge attraction,” Rutherford said.
“I know of JL (senior coach John Lamont) from his Werribee days and of course I am a big fan of ‘Oge’.
“I was there last week, the ground looked fantastic and Oge’s humour has not improved.”
Set to help bolster the club’s stocks after the departure of Dean Smith, Lucas Caccaviello and Aidan Basile, Rutherford joins the Cats alongside Mackenzie Cowley (Tongala) and the Barooga duo of Kris Bextream and Daniel Johnstone.
Mooroopna football director Mick Betson said the side had been selective with its signings for the new year.
“Unfortunately, as is often the case, we have three or four out and three or four in,” Betson said.
“We believe Bryce — other than being a very good player for us — will be great for our young group as well.
“That is where we need continued improvement.”
Moving to Mooroopna in February, Rutherford will join a host of stars in hoops as the Cats look to continue their surge up the table.
The only side to defeat eventual premier Echuca last season, John Lamont’s men boast the likes of Chris Nield and Jackson Trengove, while former Mooroopna junior and ex-AFL talent Nathan Drummond is also set to standout.
Pencilled in to split his time between VFL commitments with Footscray and the Cats, Drummond will be one to watch in a side that is shaping up to be a premiership contender in 2023.
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