Josh Bruce

Joshua Bruce (born 8 June 1992) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Greater Western Sydney Giants between 2012 and 2013. Bruce was St Kilda's leading goalkicker in 2015.

Josh Bruce
Bruce playing for St Kilda in 2017
Personal information
Full name Joshua Bruce
Date of birth (1992-06-08) 8 June 1992
Place of birth Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Debut Round 5, 2012, Greater Western Sydney
vs. Western Bulldogs, at Manuka Oval
Height 197 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight 102 kg (225 lb)
Position(s) Key forward
Club information
Current club Western Bulldogs
Number 17
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2012–2013 Greater Western Sydney 14 00(3)
2014–2019 St Kilda 99 (168)
2020– Western Bulldogs 17 (14)
Total 130 (185)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2020.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Bruce was born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory and attended St Edmunds College and Canberra Grammar School. His older brother, Aaron, was rookie-listed by Sydney in 2008. Bruce played junior football for the Eastlake Football Club in the AFL Canberra competition. Greater Western Sydney drafted Bruce as an ACT zone selection to play with their TAC Cup team in 2010.[1] He continued to play with the Giants in 2011 while the club was competing in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL).

AFL career

Greater Western Sydney (2012–2013)

Bruce made his debut in round 5, 2012 against the Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval, in his home territory, as a late replacement for the injured Chad Cornes.[2] Bruce played just the three games in his debut season, kicking two goals. Bruce played in eleven games for just the one win in 2013, playing mostly as a key defender. At the end of 2013, Bruce was traded to St Kilda.

St Kilda (2014–2019)

Bruce at training in June 2015

Bruce played his first game for St Kilda in round 5, 2014 against Essendon. While quiet initially, he was tried as a forward in round 19 against Gold Coast. After a three-goal display, his next pre-season was spent training with the forwards. In 2015, he had a break-out year up forward, playing in all 22 games, and kicking a six-goal haul against Gold Coast and five-goal displays against Essendon (twice) and Adelaide. He went on to become St Kilda's leading goalkicker for 2015, kicking 50 goals and finishing eighth in that year's Coleman Medal tally. Bruce had a similarly consistent year in 2016; though he kicked less goals for the year, this still included another five-goal haul against Essendon. Bruce's output dropped slightly in the first half of the 2017 season, and he was dropped for the first time since 2014, having played every game in 2015–2016. Upon his return to the senior team, he kicked four goals against Adelaide and had an improved finish to the year.

At the conclusion of the 2019 season Bruce requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs. He was traded on 16 October.[3]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of round 2 2020.[4]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2012 Greater Western Sydney 473211617331220.70.35.35.711.04.00.7
2013 Greater Western Sydney 471110854713246270.10.07.74.312.04.22.5
2014 St Kilda 271041694511445160.40.16.94.511.44.51.6
2015 St Kilda 2722502416575240110562.31.17.53.410.95.02.5
2016 St Kilda 27223822127106233100591.71.05.84.810.64.52.7
2017 St Kilda 2720362714394237104411.81.47.24.711.95.22.1
2018 St Kilda 273401322351271.30.04.37.311.64.02.3
2019 St Kilda 2722362015110926096401.60.96.75.011.84.41.8
2020 Western Bulldogs 1721151217250.50.52.56.08.51.02.5

Honours and achievements

Brownlow Medal votes
Season Votes
2012 0
2013 0
2014 0
2015 4
2016 1
2017 0
Total 5

References

  1. Player of the week: Josh Bruce
  2. Polkinghorne, David (28 April 2012). "Bruce well grounded for shock AFL debut". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  3. https://twitter.com/AFL_House/status/1184362632205103104
  4. "Josh Bruce". AFL Tables. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
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