Is it time to put Bruce forward??

[LikaFlash]

Sick and tired of seeing the ball being turned over in the oppositions forward half because of bruce handballing to people with two or three players already hanging off them.

However i think that he is a fantastic player, and i believe he could provide so much more to the team playing up forward. With our backline now having a bit of depth, and young players such as grimes and morton being able to play that bruce type role, i think his services should be in the foward line.

He has great ability and can take a good strong over head mark, and has shown before he is capable of kicking goals. Also having another good option up forward might just allow us to come closer to winning games.

So is it time Dean Bailey shifted him up the ground and play him as a permanent half forward??

 

[Fairtex]

He is valuable down back... but he can kick goals... wouldn't hurt to try I guess.

 

[Dez!]

Just waiting for the standard LS Bruce rant.

Shouldn't be long now.

 

[d33my]

Moloney said he thinks Bruce plays his best footy forward in his 'Best 22' for afl.com.au
Would definitely like to see it tried, even if only for a quarter. I love seeing Brucey get pumped up after a goal.

 

[Scully 31]

Not a bad idea to put bruce in the forward 50. However by takeing him away from the back 50 it leaves only young boys back there. His old head may be more valuble than we give him credit for. So there are positves and negatives both ways. A even mix of forward and back could work. But a good option for when our plans are not working.

 

[jinny1]

time to put bruce in the seconds...

 

[w00dy]

i was thinking the exact same thing on Monday... put him forward, get the bruce/green forward combo going that worked so well back in 2000... if anything you'd think he'd attract one of the opposition's best defenders...

 

[LITTLE STINGA]

time to put bruce in the seconds...

That's the best idea. Bruce was a good player but since '05 he has gone backwards to the stage that he is now a burden. I'm sure the opposition love seeing his name on our team sheet week in, week out, as soon as we get rid of the 3 players that are constantly playing on reputation alone the sooner we will be a gun team.

 

[Gazza_11]

Who are the three?

 

[Crimson Azure]

time to put bruce in the seconds...

If only BF had a seconds.

 

[Demon 16]

If only BF had a seconds.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

I've been a Bruce detractor for most of the year but reckon OP is onto something, and it is certainly worth some consideration I would think.

 

[Tulip]

That's the best idea. Bruce was a good player but since '05 he has gone backwards to the stage that he is now a burden. I'm sure the opposition love seeing his name on our team sheet week in, week out, as soon as we get rid of the 3 players that are constantly playing on reputation alone the sooner we will be a gun team.

Rivers

 

[demonfromupnorth]

My feelings on Bruce are mixed. I use Green as a comparison due to them both being roughly the same age and have the same experience.

Green is irreplaceable, uses the ball better and makes more of the opportunities he gets during a game. Bruce, while gathering more possessions is far less damaging and too slow.

I agree that his experience is needed in the team, I just think he is underachieving. The forward line is an option but I wouldn’t be upset if he was running around out at Casey.

The second half of the season is a very important time for Bruce; his spot in the team is not a certainty. The young guns will push him aside if he doesn't pull his finger out and start performing like we all know he can. Same goes for Rivers.

 

[Dez!]

Rivers

He'll read that and his head will explode.

 

[Buddha117]

I think he adds valuable experience to the back line.. If it takes longer to have Jurrah and Wona up fit and firing, then it's not a bad idea.