Cam Bruce gone?

[Bartram_Class]

Source: BF Footy Board (to be taken with pinch of salt).

Has been earmarked for a while, still surprised to see him go if true.

Junior might be more than a little disappointed with this news, aren't we wasting a spot by not having two veterans now?

Hmm, thinking about it, why would he let them announce it the day before the B&F, he's only opening himself up to McLean-esque treatment from Beamer and the like, I'm smelling a rat.

 

[chopper41]

It would still just be rumours now but I'm expecting him to go. Don't blame him either. I hope he doesn't get the McLean treatment. Different circumstances.

 

[Captain Groenewegen Snr]

Thats the word that i have heard and its normally pretty spot on. Of all the players to lose Cam Bruce is one of the better ones for you guys thats for sure.

 

[Ando727]

If Bruce is gone, the decision to force McDonald into retirement is an even poorer one. I hope the MFC will be willing to eat humble pie and ask him to come back for another year. I fear they might be reluctant to admit that it was a premature call because it might make them look a bit silly. One thing's for sure, we still need some mature heads at the club. Losing both Bruce and Junior leaves a big hole. I know it's all the about the future etc. but there is a present too - we have to remember that. We can't afford to gaze at the horizon at our predicted success 2 years in the future. We have to make finals and make some impact next year. Junior would be a good investment to that aim and he comes cheap because he is one of our veterans. I don't see how we can not see that. Problem is, now he's had a farewell game at the G so they might be unwilling to bring him back.

Ok, I'm ready...come and flame me...

 

[stretcharmstrong]

If Bruce is gone, the decision to force McDonald into retirement is an even poorer one. I hope the MFC will be willing to eat humble pie and ask him to come back for another year. I fear they might be reluctant to admit that it was a premature call because it might make them look a bit silly. One thing's for sure, we still need some mature heads at the club. Losing both Bruce and Junior leaves a big hole. I know it's all the about the future etc. but there is a present too - we have to remember that. We can't afford to gaze at the horizon at our predicted success 2 years in the future. We have to make finals and make some impact next year. Junior would be a good investment to that aim and he comes cheap because he is one of our veterans. I don't see how we can not see that. Problem is, now he's had a farewell game at the G so they might be unwilling to bring him back.

Ok, I'm ready...come and flame me...

100% agree. If Bruce goes we badly need to think about asking Junior back, but I don't think they could be that humble, even Jimmy (Stynes) himself.

 

[Andy_Mac]

If Bruce is gone, the decision to force McDonald into retirement is an even poorer one. I hope the MFC will be willing to eat humble pie and ask him to come back for another year. I fear they might be reluctant to admit that it was a premature call because it might make them look a bit silly. One thing's for sure, we still need some mature heads at the club. Losing both Bruce and Junior leaves a big hole. I know it's all the about the future etc. but there is a present too - we have to remember that. We can't afford to gaze at the horizon at our predicted success 2 years in the future. We have to make finals and make some impact next year. Junior would be a good investment to that aim and he comes cheap because he is one of our veterans. I don't see how we can not see that. Problem is, now he's had a farewell game at the G so they might be unwilling to bring him back.

Ok, I'm ready...come and flame me...

I agree, but:

I think that it would be a great thing if the club came out and admitted they were wrong. They're only human and mistakes happen. The last thing we need is to follow the Matty Knights example and just continue to cut your nose off despite your face.

I say if Bruce goes we bring Jmac back, not as captain, and only select him if and when his form warrants.

 

[Capt_Concussion]

I don't think we'd be wasting a spot by not having two veterans. My understanding is that if you don't have a veteran you're allowed an extra rookie.

 

[cannons]

GC is holding a press conference at 11am to announce their first uncontracted signing.

It's more likely to be someone like Bock than Bruce, but you never know.

 

[RandB]

Let me get this right, the club possibly made a mistake in letting Junior go because they didn't see it coming that Bruce may also decide to move on? Even though there has been speculation for about 4 months?

Give me strength.
_______________

If we lose Bruce we are in real trouble across half back but it has nothing to do with Junior.

As far as only having one player on the veteran's list it means we can pick an extra rookie in the RD (ie have 7 instead of 6) and nominate 1 of those rookies for senior service for the entire season to keep our list of eligible senior players at 40.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

its not all that bad, it will allow for further development of our players and we still have Jamar, Davey, Sylvia, Green, Moloney, MacDonald, Grimes (very mature already) and Rivers to add really valuable experience... i would expect that next season we would win 10-12 games if this is the case, no huge improvement, but steady improvement nonetheless also players like Dunn and Bate offer good experience also... not the end of the world if bruce goes and certainly no need to call Junior back, if we don't have a huge improvement next year because of it so what?? i think it will benefit us even more the year after with an extra youngster gettin a valuable season of 1st team footy

 

[Wise Guy Sam]

its not all that bad, it will allow for further development of our players and we still have Jamar, Davey, Sylvia, Green, Moloney, MacDonald, Grimes (very mature already) and Rivers to add really valuable experience... i would expect that next season we would win 10-12 games if this is the case, no huge improvement, but steady improvement nonetheless also players like Dunn and Bate offer good experience also... not the end of the world if bruce goes and certainly no need to call Junior back, if we don't have a huge improvement next year because of it so what?? i think it will benefit us even more the year after with an extra youngster gettin a valuable season of 1st team footy

My thoughts exactly. I have a feeling that if Bruce does go, it will be no suprise to Bailey.

We still have plently of great leaders imo

 

[Dez!]

Really doubt this.

 

[eliasd82]

If he goes if opens the door for a Salopek move to Melbourne.

But I would also be happy asking Junior to play on for another year, but I doubt Brucey will leave.

 

[Demon Revival]

Really doubt this.

Agree Dez, the guy wants to finish as a one club player & the club feels the same, seriously doubt any change to that...

 

[w00dy]

Agree Dez, the guy wants to finish as a one club player & the club feels the same, seriously doubt any change to that...

even the prospect by extending his playing career by two years? Next season will be Cam's last at Melbourne you would think, he may get one more if he has an outstanding year... You'd think if he heads to the Gold Coast, he'd get a 3 year contract, extending his career by 1-2 seasons...

He's seen a number of his team mates forced into retirement early, White, Yze, Robbo and Junior... Can't blame the guy if he wants to escape the same fate...

 

[Dez!]

even the prospect by extending his playing career by two years? Next season will be Cam's last at Melbourne you would think, he may get one more if he has an outstanding year... You'd think if he heads to the Gold Coast, he'd get a 3 year contract, extending his career by 1-2 seasons...

He's seen a number of his team mates forced into retirement early, White, Yze, Robbo and Junior... Can't blame the guy if he wants to escape the same fate...

No doubt, I wouldn't blame if he left but I just can't see him doing it.

 

[Punchy Demons]

If Bruce leaves, so be it. Yes he will get to play an extra year or two by moving to the GC and no one could blame him, because he has seen other team mates pushed into retirement early at Melbourne. He will also pick up more coin so it would be very enticing for him.

Melbourne would also benefit from this. Yeah sure, we would lose two very senior and experienced players from this season (McDonald) but really if Melbourne tried to trade Bruce we wouldn't get a sniff let alone a draft selection. We would get another draft selection to use over the next couple of years.

Who knows what the formula is the AFL has come up with but isn't the worst selection available for losing an uncontracted player to the GC a late 2nd round draft pick???

If he goes, he goes and we move on. At best he has probably one year left on our list anyway.

 

[The Dr]

Dunno if Jon Ralph's column in today's HS means anything, but this caught my eye:

The new franchise has room for several players aged about 28, who will provide leadership but who will retire before the club's wages bill increases in coming years.

But it is unlikely to take on a host of out-of-contract recycled players who would only stifle the development of the club's young talent.

It means players such as Melbourne veteran Cameron Bruce are more likely to be taken than a 25-year-old short on opportunities at his current club.

 

[Deefolt]

yer i saw that too "The Dr"

 

[omit]

My reliable source just informed me that along with having his first child, Cam also just finished building his new house in melbourne.

however none of that stops him going to GC for a year or two

 

[Gazza_11]

How's he going to pay of that house aye?

 

[Hustle_Blood22]

Brucey wont be going anywhere...

 

[Unleash Hell]

Bruce will play one more year with the Dees.

 

[Supermercado]

If they're going to announce Rischitelli tomorrow (as per Footy Classfied/Confidential/whatever it's called) then what would the delay be on naming Bruce if he's going? The longer it goes the more I think he's staying.

 

[Bartram_Class]

How's he going to pay of that house aye?

I'm inclined to think he would be on 500/600 as it stands now. Not sure how much more he could command at the Suns.