The Western Bulldogs have landed their first target of the 2019 Telstra AFL Trade Period, securing experienced key forward Josh Bruce.
Bruce joins the Bulldogs from St Kilda, in exchange for selections 32 and 51 in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft.
The 27-year-old has agreed to terms on a four-year deal to call VU Whitten Oval home until the end of 2023.
He played every game for the Saints in 2019, kicking 36 goals and finishing ninth in their best and fairest.
General Manager of List and Recruiting, Sam Power, said the acquisition of Bruce was a major boost for the Bulldogs’ forward line.
“We felt we needed to add an experienced key forward to our mix and Josh certainly fits that category,” Power said.
“He has been a consistent player now at AFL level for a number of seasons.
“Josh is a good athlete who competes well. He is a strong contested mark who consistently hits the scoreboard, as he has shown by kicking 36 or more goals in four of the past five years.
“He will be a great support to our young key forwards in Aaron Naughton and Josh Schache, and we are confident they can all work well together in the same team.”
Bruce has played 20 or more games in four of the past five seasons – with his 2018 campaign hindered by injury.
He arrives at the Kennel having kicked 171 goals from 113 AFL matches. He made his AFL debut in 2012 for the GWS Giants, before joining St Kilda ahead of the 2014 season.
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