Cameron Bruse was just interviewed on SEN.

He spoke about how the players had taken a unified approach to the preseason to start back early to make up for a poor 2008 and to get the season There’s great enthusiasm and the real bonus is the number of players training. In the past couple of years there’s been quite a large sized midfied training group meaning that the boys coming into the season are a little bit behind. This year there's less than a handful on modified programme and the majority are doing everything and the fitness staff are getting great results. The boys are felling really enthsaistic about the year ahead.

The interviewer mentioned Bohdan Babiczjuk's comments on SEN last week about the group being in a better frame of mind to improve their fitness and really get up to the next level. He used the word "brittle"when referring to how the group was a couple of years ago when he came in but now the group's got more resilience and more capable of getting through the hard end of the season.

Cameron said that if you look at the sides that are constantly up there they don't have many injuries so keeping the list together is crucial. We have to make sure all the boys are conditioned well enough to last the pre season and 22 games plus, becasue that's the way you've got to go these days. This year the players are getting fit and strong through core. We've got a young group and they're still developing a lot so it's going to be exciting times ahead.

Asked what he was hoping for in 2009 he said that as an individual you always aim to improve on the previous year's performances while as a group we have to make sure that we can improve on such a poor year and if we can play some really consistent footy and push towards making the finals that would be a great result. We've really got a lot of development in us with three quarters of our list 22 and under so whatever we do we’re going to continue to improve.

Under Dean Bailey in the first year it's been a hard year with some of the guys who may not have had many games in previous years given an opportunity and some were thrown into the deep end. They’ll be the better for it and for all the experiences the team had last year and we’ll definitely improve.

The interviewer said if he was to judge Melbourne over the past ten years it's been a bit of a roller coaster for a while and the last two years the club has hit the bottom. What is the key ingredient for the club to become a legitimate force again in the AFL.

Cameron answered that getting key position players was important. Young players like Jack Watts will be a big bonus. We had David Neitz for such a long time and now when Watts really develops as a key forward it will allow the club to straighten up and have someone to kick to. Then we have a number of really good youngsters in defence like Colin Garland, Stefan Martin and Matty Warnock who showed out last year when they got the opportunities. Having some really good key position talent means your side is well on the way.

It was mentioned that Brad Green had recommitted to the cause. Did he have any thoughts to of seeking success elesehere. Bruce said all footballers want the oopportunity to play AFL footy but to say you’ve played at one club, knowing you’ve had such an influence on where we were at at the moment and being able to say that you’ve played a part in helping get the side out of a tough position and that was the major reason for Brad staying to be able to repay the club and to get them out of the trouble they're in at the moment.

A caller SMS'd about the Cranbourne facility. Bruce said he didn't think he had ever trained on a better surface that's got goals up and hasn't got a cricket pitch in the middle. It's no trouble heading down there and all the facilities are great.

The also discussed the gym in which he's a partner. It's been open a while and there's a promotion on today. It's te Jungle Gym in 16-20 William Street Balaclava, just off Carisle Street and there's an open day today from 2.30pm to 6.00pm. Plenty of Demons can be seen there.

Obviously doesn't practise what he preaches cos I don't think he's put a kilo on since he started

Morton works there on weekends...

'Practice what he preaches'?

I've never heard Cameron Bruce preaching about the importance of being a solid wad of meat. He's always been a fitness / athleticism based player.

Yet somehow manages to lay whole bunch of tackles, cop a fair share of bumps and niggles when tagging, and still play every game this season.

I'm guessing it's more about balanced development to suit a person's natural body type.

I'm sure it would also be possible to add twenty kilos to Cale Morton in time for next season, provided we're happy to see him spend a quarter of every season for the rest of his career sitting out with soft-tissue injuries, and moving with all the acceleration and agility of Strauchnie.

I was at Jungle Gym today. Bruce along with Ricky Petterd, Daniel Bell, Michael Newton, Paul Wheatley and Jace Bode were there. It was the Gyms official opening day and 1st year anniversary. It had great atmosphere and i spoke to the players. The whole team was there training earlier in the week as it is a lot closer than the Casey Fields. here is the gym's website if any of you are interested.

http://junglegymfitness.com.au/

I was at Jungle Gym today. Bruce along with Ricky Petterd, Daniel Bell, Michael Newton, Paul Wheatley and Jace Bode were there. It was the Gyms official opening day and 1st year anniversary. It had great atmosphere and i spoke to the players. The whole team was there training earlier in the week as it is a lot closer than the Casey Fields. here is the gym's website if any of you are interested.

http://junglegymfitness.com.au/

I presume that means it's been renamed lol?

I presume that means it's been renamed lol?

What i meant to say was open day (for the public eye to promote it).

Alpha, Big thanks once again. Really is appreciated.

Strange that when mentioning kpp, Bruce doesnt mention Newton, who has been training to be Neitz replacement since the day he was drafted. Maybe he doesn't think he's a long term option?