Although he spent most of his time up forward in junior football, the left-footer was asked to hold down key defensive posts early in the season before transforming himself into another goal-kicking option later in the year.
VIDEO: Meet Josh Bruce
Having committed until the end of 2016, Bruce is optimistic about the future of the club alongside a raft of recently re-signed teammates.“I love it here at the moment,” Bruce told SAINTS.com.au.
“I’m really excited about my future at the Saints and I think we illustrated that we have the potential to beat some of the best teams in the competition this year.
“Saints Future Fest gives the players confidence in our future because the club is putting faith in us. We all know which direction we are heading in and it is up to us to get there as quickly as we can.”
As for his best position, the 196cm swingman maintained he wasn’t fussed whether he kicks goals or stops them, as long as he solidifies his position in Alan Richardson first choice 22.
“I don’t mind where I play,” he said.
“Playing forward and kicking goals is great, but so is defence where you get to crash packs, spoil, and do all of the grunt stuff.
“In 2015 I want to cement my place in the team and earn the trust of the boys.”
VIDEO FEATURE: The Urban Cowboy
Having played 10 senior matches in 2014, Head of Football Chris Pelchen said Bruce’s ability to hold down key positions at either end was a great luxury for St Kilda to have.“While still relatively young in AFL experience, he continues to develop his capacity to play at both ends of the ground - providing a valuable option to us in terms of flexibility and strategy,” Pelchen told SAINTS.com.au.
“With greater exposure to AFL football, we are confident that Josh will become an important part of our future structure."
RELATED: WIN with #SaintsFutureFest
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“He has a great running capacity in regards to endurance and speed for a man of his size,” Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.
“He’s very competitive and has the potential to be able to play as a key forward and a key defender.”
Right now Bruce is recovering from shin surgery, and the ex-Giant expects to hit the ground running for pre-season training after suffering leg soreness since he was drafted.
“I’ve had shin splints for about four or five years and compartment syndrome,” he said.
“They sliced open down the shin and pulled out a lot of inflamed tissue. I should be able to run again by late October or early November.”
So far the following players have been part of #SaintsFutureFest:
Luke Dunstan, Josh Saunders, Jack Newnes, Lewis Pierce, Nathan Wright, Jimmy Webster, Blake Acres, Spencer White, Darren Minchington, Seb Ross, Daniel Markworth and Josh Bruce.
