Cameron Bruce

[Pipefitter]

Re: Bruce quits club

MFC will have problems next year. They sacked the captain and the vice-captain walked out. You can't replace that level of experience and leadership overnight.

I dont think so. I think this is the motivation for players like Moloney, Sylvia to really grab the leadership of this team by the throat and move onwards and upwards.

 

[RandB]

Re: Bruce quits club

From what I've read elsewhere Bruce has had some pretty good contracts in the past with this club and perhaps been paid over market rate. I'm dissapointed in him tbh. The club was entirely entitled to put a 1 yr contract on the table and even if money was the issue or game time does Bruce really put that over finishing with the 1 club - he has like 2 yrs tops and played 21 games this year.

The thing that sucks out of this is that we don't get any compensation other than moving up the draft order. I realise Bruce may have played the game for more $ which takes time but if he was genuine about his concerns about game time then why didn't he act on that a month ago?

Shit end to a good career.

 

[Kid Presentable]

Re: Bruce quits club

Shame to see him go, he will get picked up by another team though. The way he played, i couldn't see him playing past 2011 in the starting team to be honest.

 

[Ghost of Grinter]

Re: Bruce quits club

This is great news as far as Im concerned.

We have the likes of Blease, Strauss, Tapscott, Maric all of whom
can lift and take Bruces spot, so I dont think its big deal.

If anything, it will fast track some kids who havent had a chance or are
yet to come on.

 

[MFCforever]

Re: Bruce quits club

This is great news as far as Im concerned.

We have the likes of Blease, Strauss, Tapscott, Maric all of whom
can lift and take Bruces spot, so I dont think its big deal.

If anything, it will fast track some kids who havent had a chance or are
yet to come on.

This is just a ridiculous comment. None of these kids you mentioned can take Bruce's spot!!

For starters Blease can't get on the track, Tapscott was recruited as a forward and will never play down back NEVER, Strauss is years away and Maric apart from being smaller and also recruited as a forward can't break into the team and has struggled to for 2 years.

You can't just replace a 224 game player, vice captain,B & F winner, a LIFE member, AA, 150 heroes inductee.

Bruce is a loss, no argument, and these kids you mentioned are about 220 games away from Bruce!!

Put a valid argument forward, don't just name someone and say oh yeah they'll step up.

 

[Future Star]

Re: Bruce quits club

Bruce leaving also has a massive impact on our drafting a positive one i believe. Means we will only have 1 veteran i think so we cant take an extra rookie. If we rookie list McNamarra we will have 5 picks in the National Draft and 4 or 5 picks in the Rookie draft.
This year we will draft 9/10 new players as opposed to last year where we only drafted 6 new players!!

 

[stretcharmstrong]

Re: Bruce quits club

This is great news as far as Im concerned.

We have the likes of Blease, Strauss, Tapscott, Maric all of whom
can lift and take Bruces spot, so I dont think its big deal.

If anything, it will fast track some kids who havent had a chance or are
yet to come on.

Was just about to post pretty much the same thing, but add Joel Mac, Morton, Bail, Grimes and Gysberts.

Bruce's posi in the starting 22 beyond this year was only going to hold these guys back, and really I think he knew that by the end of next season he would not have been in our best 22 each week.

I reckon he has been a great player for our club and am dissapointed that he didn't just take the 1-year, and let his career end on a high as a senior part of an improving team and flourishing club.

The biggest downside is the leadership vacuum left by Miller, Junior and Bruce now. But I guess it's time for the next generation to really step up, and I have every confidence in guys like Davey, Moloney and Sylvia being able to do this.

All the best Cam.

 

[Demon Revival]

Re: Bruce quits club

Maybe we have all been fooled for a while on his standing with the club. With the China trip, everyone from the Vice Pres down to 'Lovely Sarah's' PA, went over there except a few players who were obviously told that they were not part of the plans next year... Bruce, didn't go on the trip, under the cover of 'being on a end of season family holiday'...

I did think this strange @ the time, but accepted it as a veteran privilege...

If it was good for all of the other players on the list (including injured guys) to travel to China, it should have been good for him too...

Just maybe he has shat in all of our faces???...

 

[RandB]

Re: Bruce quits club

Just maybe he has shat in all of our faces???...

There is no bigger slap in the face in footy than for a 10 yr player to walk out and nominate for the ND/PSD. Whatever the circumstances Bruce could have done this a lot better.

I was happy when McLean left from a list pov but at least he did it the right way, said what he wanted to say up front and the club got compensation and McLean went to his desired club.

For a 10 yr player to put his club in this position is character defining IMO.

 

[TheBoss]

Re: Bruce quits club

You are without question a TROLL!!!! Your opinion counts for zero on this board. No membership, no optimism for next year, no support for our young players.

Go away!

I have not seen a game that has shown me that Morton has 'arrived' or that he will become a future star for the club.

Why is it ok to bash Bruce, Robbo, Brock and other out of favour players such as Newton, but as soon as you critisise a young player you are labelled as a troll?

And your opinion should count for less than mine. You do not add any value to the discussion, you just hurl around personal attacks.

 

[RandB]

I don't see how people can be pissed at Bruce, the club has shown little-to-no respect to guys 30+ and honestly I don't blame Cam if he can get a better deal somewhere else.

You do realise that McDonald was 33 when the club offered him (to the surprise of some) another year at the end of the 2009 season. This whole lack of respect issue with senior players is a myth.

 

[TheBoss]

Re: Bruce quits club

Bruce leaving also has a massive impact on our drafting a positive one i believe. Means we will only have 1 veteran i think so we cant take an extra rookie. If we rookie list McNamarra we will have 5 picks in the National Draft and 4 or 5 picks in the Rookie draft.
This year we will draft 9/10 new players as opposed to last year where we only drafted 6 new players!!

I don't really see that a positive or negative. Although you might find a few gems in the draft, a lot of players never make it.

 

[RandB]

Re: Bruce quits club

I don't really see that a positive or negative. Although you might find a few gems in the draft, a lot of players never make it.

This is not off the mark. The extra pick itself is not that significant.

What is significant is that one of our rookies can now be nominated for full year service as a result of 1 less VL player. Either Newton or our most promising young rookie recruit will theoretically be that player. We still get to nominate (unless the rules have changed) another rookie mid season as well.

 

[TheBoss]

Re: Bruce quits club

I have every confidence in guys like Davey, Moloney and Sylvia being able to do this.

All the best Cam.

I struggle to see Davey as captaincy material. He is a good leader for the indigenous players, but I question his on-field leadership as he hasn't been able to deal with the hard-tag making him disappear in some games.

I think Moloney would be a good leader, but as players such as Scully, Trengove and Jizzbits develop I think he will struggle to keep his spot in the side.

Sylvia would be a good choice, but I would prefer to see the captaincy go to Green, I think he'd be fantastic. I think the VC spot should go to either Sylvia or Grimes.

 

[MFCforever]

Re: Bruce quits club

I have not seen a game that has shown me that Morton has 'arrived' or that he will become a future star for the club.

Why is it ok to bash Bruce, Robbo, Brock and other out of favour players such as Newton, but as soon as you critisise a young player you are labelled as a troll?

And your opinion should count for less than mine. You do not add any value to the discussion, you just hurl around personal attacks.

Agree with everything you mentioned boss except this comment. Out of favour come on give me a spell!

 

[TheBoss]

Re: Bruce quits club

Agree with everything you mentioned boss except this comment. Out of favour come on give me a spell!

Well, the point I am making is what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If people are going to come on this board and bash players they don't like, they shouldn't get their panties in twist when someone critisises a player they like.

 

[demonfan9]

Re: Bruce quits club

1) Surprised to see him leave, I genuinely thought he would re-sign and stay with the club.

2) He was a very good player for us a few years ago, but in recent years he has been frustratingly inconsistent. I don't think we'll be too disadvantaged from a playing perspective now that he's gone. Half back flankers aren't too hard to replace, although Bruce's versatility was an asset. While I do think he is good enough to start in our best 22 next year, I don't think he is irreplaceable by any means.

3) From a leadership perspective, it could go either way. We've lost our captain and vice-captain in one hit, which doesn't sound ideal. But I do believe that it allows the younger players to step up around the club and take ownership of their performances. They don't have Junior and Cam to hide behind now; they are the ones that must perform, lead and take responsibility on their shoulders. It's a terrific opportunity for some of these guys (if they are willing to take it).

4) The club has done the right thing from all reports. We stuck to our list management plan and offered him a one year deal (based on age and performance). This is common place with most clubs nowadays (for +30 year olds). If Bruce wanted an assurance of his spot in the 22 all year, and we told him he had to earn it, then that's also a good thing. There are very few veterans who you can afford to keep in the side every week when they get to the end of their careers (Hird, Buckley, Harvey, Voss, etc... Bruce is not one of them).

5) I like the track that the club is taking. We have a clear objective and if something falls outside of that, then bad luck. We don't make any concessions. Sure, you will take a couple of hits along the way (losing Bruce for nothing isn't the perfect outcome) but as long as we maintain our stance and stick to our plan, then we are going to go places.

 

[The Dr]

Re: Bruce quits club

1) Surprised to see him leave, I genuinely thought he would re-sign and stay with the club.

2) He was a very good player for us a few years ago, but in recent years he has been frustratingly inconsistent. I don't think we'll be too disadvantaged from a playing perspective now that he's gone. Half back flankers aren't too hard to replace, although Bruce's versatility was an asset. While I do think he is good enough to start in our best 22 next year, I don't think he is irreplaceable by any means.

3) From a leadership perspective, it could go either way. We've lost our captain and vice-captain in one hit, which doesn't sound ideal. But I do believe that it allows the younger players to step up around the club and take ownership of their performances. They don't have Junior and Cam to hide behind now; they are the ones that must perform, lead and take responsibility on their shoulders. It's a terrific opportunity for some of these guys (if they are willing to take it).

3) The club has done the right thing from all reports. We stuck to our list management plan and offered him a one year deal (based on age and performance). This is common place with most clubs nowadays (for +30 year olds). If Bruce wanted an assurance of his spot in the 22 all year, and we told him he had to earn it, then that's also a good thing. There are very few veterans who you can afford to keep in the side every week when they get to the end of their careers (Hird, Buckley, Harvey, Voss, etc... Bruce is not one of them).

4) I like the track that the club is taking. We have a clear objective and if something falls outside of that, then bad luck. We don't make any concessions. Sure, you will take a couple of hits along the way (losing Bruce for nothing isn't the perfect outcome) but as long as we maintain our stance and stick to our plan, then we are going to go places.

The most well thought-out and logical post so far. Sums up my thoughts exactly.

 

[cannons]

Re: Bruce quits club

There is no bigger slap in the face in footy than for a 10 yr player to walk out and nominate for the ND/PSD. Whatever the circumstances Bruce could have done this a lot better.

I was happy when McLean left from a list pov but at least he did it the right way, said what he wanted to say up front and the club got compensation and McLean went to his desired club.

For a 10 yr player to put his club in this position is character defining IMO.

I don't really see what you mean, given that it's exceedingly obvious that Bruce wanted to stay at the club.

With Mclean, he wanted to leave, and as such, he was upfront and told the club prior to trade week. With Bruce, however, it's obvious to me that he wanted to give the club every possible opportunity to meet his demands, and only when he finally realised that this wasn't going to happen did he decide that it was time to move on.

With this in mind, I wouldn't be too quick to judge his character, as it seems to me that he genuinely wanted to stay, but was scared of having a good year and the club then opting to cut him from the list in the same way that they cut Junior.

I don't really blame him at all, to be honest. He is only trying to protect his best interests and prolong his career as a league footballer.

 

[RandB]

Re: Bruce quits club

I don't really see what you mean, given that it's exceedingly obvious that Bruce wanted to stay at the club.

With Mclean, he wanted to leave, and as such, he was upfront and told the club prior to trade week. With Bruce, however, it's obvious to me that he wanted to give the club every possible opportunity to meet his demands, and only when he finally realised that this wasn't going to happen did he decide that it was time to move on.

I see where you are coming from but what you are essentially saying is that he played the club (under the guise from his manager) up to the 11th hour most likely with a fall back option in mind - all the time knowing the club is stuffed if he walks.

McLean had a concern and raised it immediately, leaving the club was a biproduct of raising that concern not the concern itself - similar with Bruce not feeling assured of getting a game which is the line he went with at least.

 

[RoJo Junior]

Re: Bruce quits club

I can't believe Bruce's actions here. What club would give him 2 years? No 'rebuilding' team would take him, and I doubt a premiership contending team would go for him, given he has no assurances in Melbourne's best 22.

The fact he's on your vets list would mean he could get paid 2 years of wages in 1 anyway. Very selfish act IMO. Surely you would want to retire before you start your decline and fans think of you as a lesser player. He's been a very good player for your club and I think he should've taken the one year and retired at the end of the year.

I'm impressed with Melbourne here. They are doing the full rebuild properly, clearing out the older players, getting highly rated youngsters in the draft, and assembling as many early picks as possible. Attempting to fast track the squad for the future.

 

[Spirit of 39]

Re: Bruce quits club

I have not seen a game that has shown me that Morton has 'arrived' or that he will become a future star for the club.

Why is it ok to bash Bruce, Robbo, Brock and other out of favour players such as Newton, but as soon as you critisise a young player you are labelled as a troll?

And your opinion should count for less than mine. You do not add any value to the discussion, you just hurl around personal attacks.

The fact that you have written off a 20 year old footballer with 50 games under his belt tells me that you know little about the game. You should get a dictionary and look up the term 'supporter'.
And the fact that I put my hand in my pocket to support the club gives me my right to have a say.

 

[Tulip]

Re: Bruce quits club

The most well thought-out and logical post so far. Sums up my thoughts exactly.

even though he put two 3's?

 

[Tulip]

Re: Bruce quits club

I can't believe Bruce's actions here. What club would give him 2 years? No 'rebuilding' team would take him, and I doubt a premiership contending team would go for him, given he has no assurances in Melbourne's best 22.

The fact he's on your vets list would mean he could get paid 2 years of wages in 1 anyway. Very selfish act IMO. Surely you would want to retire before you start your decline and fans think of you as a lesser player. He's been a very good player for your club and I think he should've taken the one year and retired at the end of the year.

I'm impressed with Melbourne here. They are doing the full rebuild properly, clearing out the older players, getting highly rated youngsters in the draft, and assembling as many early picks as possible. Attempting to fast track the squad for the future.

Cheers, my thoughts are similair/the same.

 

[demonfan9]

Re: Bruce quits club

even though he put two 3's?

Now fixed.