Cameron Bruce

[DeeM 42]

Our young players will look at Green, who at 30 is most likely going to be our new captain.

This has nothing to do with age, and everything to do with wise list management. Bruce simply wasn't good enough in his later years to warrant a longer contract or a guaranteed spot in the side. In fact, nobody is ever guaranteed a spot in the side.

This is the nature of footy. Players come and players go. If the rest of the group can't deal with that, I suggest they go look for a new profession. We have done nothing wrong by Bruce, it was simply a matter of two parties not coming to a mutual agreement. It is not our job as a club to bend over backwards to keep someone who is on the fringes.

Yep agree, they will look to our next skipper, but my point is they may start to question, "how long can we look up to him (the next captain)"

If what has happened is a once off, i wouldn’t be to concerned but its not.

It is a brutal game on and off the field, i just think this may come back to haunt us. Because if out own captain and vice-captain aren’t trusted to by the club, they why will the club trust the younger players, (SculGorve, Blease, Watts ect)

But i hope im wrong and we look back at this as good decision

[Great Sage 124]

Yep agree, they will look to our next skipper, but my point is they may start to question, "how long can we look up to him (the next captain)"

If what has happened is a once off, i wouldn’t be to concerned but its not.

The answer to that would be another 4 years, given McDonald captained to age 34. I doubt anyone would be assuming that Green will definitely be captain at age 35.

[Chook 15,022]

James McDonald lasted until the age of 34 before we got rid of him, and the only reason Bruce left was because we didn't want to rashly commit to keeping him come hell or high water. It's not as if we've systematically gotten rid of everyone over thirty years old, and the senior players who are still around would realize that. Not to mention the fact that I think some of our younger players might see Bruce and McDonald's departures as a chance for them to cement a spot in our best 22.

[Wolfmother 182]

I don't think I've been so disappointed with a thread and comments on here in a long time....

Cam Bruce is a good to very good player for the MFC in the last decade with 224 games, B&F, 2nd in the B&F(2004 and 2006) co-captain for a remainder of a season and vice for a couple taking of the duties when jnr was out. The complete disrespect from supporters on this site is disgusting. Although he had his weaknesses, who doesn't, he is a life member of the club, played over 200 games and is recognized as a former Capt, how about some of you remember the good about players rather than giving them the kicks in the gut as they go out the door.

I've noticed the trend continuously over the last few years with players retiring and it gives me the shits.

Now to the second part of the post;

Some of you on here are absolutely clueless about what occurs in the world of football let alone professional football. You take a few lines in the HS or a one line quote and turn it into reasons for the dispute. Cam B didn't want insurances from the club that he would play every game next year or get a two year extension unlike what is claimed on here... He was happy with the one year deal and although the money was a little short it wasn't the big sticking point and he would of signed.

His main issue is the direction of the club and its focus on the next few years. He is a professional footballer who makes his money out of playing football (sometime people forget that this is our players job). Over the last few years MFC has had a trend to play youth over the best 22, this is driven by marketing of the AFL in general where you have to be building for a tilt at the flag or in premiership mode not just going out each week to get the best result thus playing the best players (and no i don't have an issue with the direction the club has taken at the moment).

Ask yourself the question if we were playing for the flag next year would Jnr be in the middle or McKenzie??? Jnr is the better player but won't be there in a couple of years so our policy is to have McKenzie. The same could be said for Robbo he was easily in our best 22 but we needed to develop our fwd line same same with Miller this year he probably could of played this year if we were trying for to win the flag but.... thus this is cam's issue if he is the best player for the position and is performing well, will he get his spot or will it be given to strauss or blease to develop them. The MFC plan is that the best 22 may not be playing each week as we develop the team thus your performance and merit doesn't always determine the side.

Thus I see Cam's side and reason for leaving, and I think he made the right decision for him (sorry I don't believe this look after the club [censored] as they will throw you on the heap when it suits them) If he plays in a good team and one that is playing to win they will play Cam as he is good enough to be in all clubs best 22 including Geelong and Collingwood (although we get frustrated he is a highly rated player in the AFL community). He may play three more seasons at one of the clubs trying for success but at melb he maybe faded out to make way for the future even though he is a better players, what would you do. So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough, do you leave or stay?

Will this effect the club? Yes and No, I discuss contracts with one young player and although he wants to be a one club player these things are watched by them and do effect there decision. It resolves to them that this is a business and if MFC are on a rebuilding phase when I am older, although I maybe good enough they will retire me thus I am a commodity (see robbo, jnr and now bruce). If GWS double my salary then I need to consider if I leave, although money isn't the only issue, I need to make the best decision for me not 'look after the club' as it won't happen when the shoe is on the other foot. So I believe that these sort of decisions although correct for the club and they have made the right decision can influence future contracts.

So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough.

[titan_uranus 25,042]

I have to say I didn't expect it. It's a shock. I thought he would stay.

Having said that I don't really care. IMO he had become borderline best 22. His kicking was getting worse. Bail can give us plenty of run from half back, which lessens Bruce's value to the team. And he's getting on in age.

I can understand his decision, but I wish he's made it back before/during trade week, so we could at least have tried to get another draft pick in the ND. This way we get nothing at all given he's a veteran.

[Choko 493]

I don't think I've been so disappointed with a thread and comments on here in a long time....

Cam Bruce is a good to very good player for the MFC in the last decade with 224 games, B&F, 2nd in the B&F(2004 and 2006) co-captain for a remainder of a season and vice for a couple taking of the duties when jnr was out. The complete disrespect from supporters on this site is disgusting. Although he had his weaknesses, who doesn't, he is a life member of the club, played over 200 games and is recognized as a former Capt, how about some of you remember the good about players rather than giving them the kicks in the gut as they go out the door.

I've noticed the trend continuously over the last few years with players retiring and it gives me the shits.

Now to the second part of the post;

Some of you on here are absolutely clueless about what occurs in the world of football let alone professional football. You take a few lines in the HS or a one line quote and turn it into reasons for the dispute. Cam B didn't want insurances from the club that he would play every game next year or get a two year extension unlike what is claimed on here... He was happy with the one year deal and although the money was a little short it wasn't the big sticking point and he would of signed.

His main issue is the direction of the club and its focus on the next few years. He is a professional footballer who makes his money out of playing football (sometime people forget that this is our players job). Over the last few years MFC has had a trend to play youth over the best 22, this is driven by marketing of the AFL in general where you have to be building for a tilt at the flag or in premiership mode not just going out each week to get the best result thus playing the best players (and no i don't have an issue with the direction the club has taken at the moment).

Ask yourself the question if we were playing for the flag next year would Jnr be in the middle or McKenzie??? Jnr is the better player but won't be there in a couple of years so our policy is to have McKenzie. The same could be said for Robbo he was easily in our best 22 but we needed to develop our fwd line same same with Miller this year he probably could of played this year if we were trying for to win the flag but.... thus this is cam's issue if he is the best player for the position and is performing well, will he get his spot or will it be given to strauss or blease to develop them. The MFC plan is that the best 22 may not be playing each week as we develop the team thus your performance and merit doesn't always determine the side.

Thus I see Cam's side and reason for leaving, and I think he made the right decision for him (sorry I don't believe this look after the club [censored] as they will throw you on the heap when it suits them) If he plays in a good team and one that is playing to win they will play Cam as he is good enough to be in all clubs best 22 including Geelong and Collingwood (although we get frustrated he is a highly rated player in the AFL community). He may play three more seasons at one of the clubs trying for success but at melb he maybe faded out to make way for the future even though he is a better players, what would you do. So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough, do you leave or stay?

Will this effect the club? Yes and No, I discuss contracts with one young player and although he wants to be a one club player these things are watched by them and do effect there decision. It resolves to them that this is a business and if MFC are on a rebuilding phase when I am older, although I maybe good enough they will retire me thus I am a commodity (see robbo, jnr and now bruce). If GWS double my salary then I need to consider if I leave, although money isn't the only issue, I need to make the best decision for me not 'look after the club' as it won't happen when the shoe is on the other foot. So I believe that these sort of decisions although correct for the club and they have made the right decision can influence future contracts.

So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough.

Good one.

It's just a shame this didn't happen when we could have traded him.

[demoniac 1,336]

That's all fair enough and reasonable.

BUT: For whatever reason, people are framing it as if Cam was saying "I want to be assured that you will pick me each week". Quite frankly, that's rubbish. No player is that selfish or unrealistic, let alone someone in a leadership group. What he wanted assurance on is that he was part of the plan and that if he was still playing well, he wouldn't be forcibly retired. And I think that's fair enough.

I think there's little doubt Cam could see the writing on the wall - delistings getting harder next year, our trashing on Junior. So he made a self-interest call to go when he had currency and was wanted.

What the club stuffed up on was, NO SH*T HE MADE THAT DECISION. We got nothing for him, and we could have gotten good value from Hawks, Carlton, etc... You reap what you sow MFC, and the Junior decision was just rotten.

And for those of you who think Cam's crap, explain why he will slot into the 22 of a premiership contender in 2011?

Indeed we will reap what we sow... and I am quite looking forward to the resulting feast. Our list management in recent years has been the best in my lifetime (I'm 40). Exiting Johnstone and Maclean for well used high draft picks. Saying see ya later to CJ when he wanted more than the 1 year we were offering. And equally as importantly mastering the art of saying to veteran professional sportsmen that their time is up when they all think they can play another year a la Bizzel, Yze, Robbo, White, Junior etc or not offering them multi year deals a la Bruce. Actually Tim Harrington should really offer his services to Cricket Australia...

As for Cam slotting into a Premiership contender.. if you are alluding to the Hawks then didnt we just give them a tough but limited half back flanker who could only manage 3 games for us this year in Cheney? Maybe they have more holes in their list than we do and are not really a premiership contender... Maybe their list managment and recruiting just is not as good as ours has been under Schwab, Connoly, Bailey, Harrington and Prendergast?

[Redleg 41,409]

I don't think I've been so disappointed with a thread and comments on here in a long time....

Cam Bruce is a good to very good player for the MFC in the last decade with 224 games, B&F, 2nd in the B&F(2004 and 2006) co-captain for a remainder of a season and vice for a couple taking of the duties when jnr was out. The complete disrespect from supporters on this site is disgusting. Although he had his weaknesses, who doesn't, he is a life member of the club, played over 200 games and is recognized as a former Capt, how about some of you remember the good about players rather than giving them the kicks in the gut as they go out the door.

I've noticed the trend continuously over the last few years with players retiring and it gives me the shits.

Now to the second part of the post;

Some of you on here are absolutely clueless about what occurs in the world of football let alone professional football. You take a few lines in the HS or a one line quote and turn it into reasons for the dispute. Cam B didn't want insurances from the club that he would play every game next year or get a two year extension unlike what is claimed on here... He was happy with the one year deal and although the money was a little short it wasn't the big sticking point and he would of signed.

His main issue is the direction of the club and its focus on the next few years. He is a professional footballer who makes his money out of playing football (sometime people forget that this is our players job). Over the last few years MFC has had a trend to play youth over the best 22, this is driven by marketing of the AFL in general where you have to be building for a tilt at the flag or in premiership mode not just going out each week to get the best result thus playing the best players (and no i don't have an issue with the direction the club has taken at the moment).

Ask yourself the question if we were playing for the flag next year would Jnr be in the middle or McKenzie??? Jnr is the better player but won't be there in a couple of years so our policy is to have McKenzie. The same could be said for Robbo he was easily in our best 22 but we needed to develop our fwd line same same with Miller this year he probably could of played this year if we were trying for to win the flag but.... thus this is cam's issue if he is the best player for the position and is performing well, will he get his spot or will it be given to strauss or blease to develop them. The MFC plan is that the best 22 may not be playing each week as we develop the team thus your performance and merit doesn't always determine the side.

Thus I see Cam's side and reason for leaving, and I think he made the right decision for him (sorry I don't believe this look after the club [censored] as they will throw you on the heap when it suits them) If he plays in a good team and one that is playing to win they will play Cam as he is good enough to be in all clubs best 22 including Geelong and Collingwood (although we get frustrated he is a highly rated player in the AFL community). He may play three more seasons at one of the clubs trying for success but at melb he maybe faded out to make way for the future even though he is a better players, what would you do. So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough, do you leave or stay?

Will this effect the club? Yes and No, I discuss contracts with one young player and although he wants to be a one club player these things are watched by them and do effect there decision. It resolves to them that this is a business and if MFC are on a rebuilding phase when I am older, although I maybe good enough they will retire me thus I am a commodity (see robbo, jnr and now bruce). If GWS double my salary then I need to consider if I leave, although money isn't the only issue, I need to make the best decision for me not 'look after the club' as it won't happen when the shoe is on the other foot. So I believe that these sort of decisions although correct for the club and they have made the right decision can influence future contracts.

So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough.

Good post. I also agree that too many on here show no respect to our past or older players. Good luck Cam and look forward to seeing you back at Melbourne when your AFL career ends.

PS. To the poster who said "RIP Cam" even though you probably didn't mean it, he is not dead.

[Jaded No More 68,972]

So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough.

I don't begrudge Bruce for a second, but I also don't buy a lot of what you've said.

Bruce has not once been dropped in the 12 years that I've been a Melbourne supporter. Even in the last few years, with our focus on development and youth, Bruce maintained his position in the team week in week out, despite some ordinary performances and ordinary disposal.

It is a cop out to say that he was happy with the contract terms and the money but he didn't feel confident enough that the club would continue to play him ahead of other players. Even when we were tanking, Bruce still played every game. I actually think that Bruce knows his time is almost up, and that if he could get a 2 year contract elsewhere, it would be the only way he could extend his career beyond 2011. That is his right and his choice.

Of all the senior players we apparently let go too early or replaced with younger players, not one was picked up by another club. That tells me that we have continued to do the right thing and that our timing has been very good.

As for Junior, Bruce kind of screwed him over with his late departure, as I'm almost certain we would have kept him on the Vets list had we known Bruce was going to ditch us on pre season eve. We needed to get rid of one veteran in order to elevate Green and free up cap space and list space. We decided we wanted Bruce because he was younger and still had an important role to play down back, and he threw that back in our faces. So much for loyalty.

[old55 23,687]

I'm fine with Cameron Bruce leaving.

MFC offers players over 30 a one year contract and Bruce doeesn't warrant an exception.

Bruce gets a 2 year offer elsewhere.

MFC is planning to win a premiership in future years and will make selection decisions with that in mind.

Bruce gets more assuranmce of a role at another club who is now in premiership contention.

Cam Bruce had a great 2nd half of 2010 - I always feel uneasy when players who are soon to be out of contract do this.

Maybe the headline should be "Cam Bruce goes when it's his turn"

[furious d 472]

Jetta says hi. I doubt it'll be hard - you only need to get rid of three. How long is Strauss contracted for? He's another, but he may have just got two years. Newton is a rookie, so he's irrelevant.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/94573/default.aspx

Jetta is contracted till 2012. So is Strauss, Spencer, Bartram and anyone else you might be thinking of delisting next year that I didn't mention. I doubt we'd terminate contracts early. If Martin, Maric or Warnock make themselves undelistable next season, like Bartram and Dunn did this year, it will be very hard to find 3 without trading players out. Prove me wrong.

Bigfooty contracts thread here http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=767361

[daisycutter 29,711]

I don't think I've been so disappointed with a thread and comments on here in a long time....

Cam Bruce is a good to very good player for the MFC in the last decade with 224 games, B&F, 2nd in the B&F(2004 and 2006) co-captain for a remainder of a season and vice for a couple taking of the duties when jnr was out. The complete disrespect from supporters on this site is disgusting. Although he had his weaknesses, who doesn't, he is a life member of the club, played over 200 games and is recognized as a former Capt, how about some of you remember the good about players rather than giving them the kicks in the gut as they go out the door.

I've noticed the trend continuously over the last few years with players retiring and it gives me the shits.

Now to the second part of the post;

Some of you on here are absolutely clueless about what occurs in the world of football let alone professional football. You take a few lines in the HS or a one line quote and turn it into reasons for the dispute. Cam B didn't want insurances from the club that he would play every game next year or get a two year extension unlike what is claimed on here... He was happy with the one year deal and although the money was a little short it wasn't the big sticking point and he would of signed.

His main issue is the direction of the club and its focus on the next few years. He is a professional footballer who makes his money out of playing football (sometime people forget that this is our players job). Over the last few years MFC has had a trend to play youth over the best 22, this is driven by marketing of the AFL in general where you have to be building for a tilt at the flag or in premiership mode not just going out each week to get the best result thus playing the best players (and no i don't have an issue with the direction the club has taken at the moment).

Ask yourself the question if we were playing for the flag next year would Jnr be in the middle or McKenzie??? Jnr is the better player but won't be there in a couple of years so our policy is to have McKenzie. The same could be said for Robbo he was easily in our best 22 but we needed to develop our fwd line same same with Miller this year he probably could of played this year if we were trying for to win the flag but.... thus this is cam's issue if he is the best player for the position and is performing well, will he get his spot or will it be given to strauss or blease to develop them. The MFC plan is that the best 22 may not be playing each week as we develop the team thus your performance and merit doesn't always determine the side.

Thus I see Cam's side and reason for leaving, and I think he made the right decision for him (sorry I don't believe this look after the club [censored] as they will throw you on the heap when it suits them) If he plays in a good team and one that is playing to win they will play Cam as he is good enough to be in all clubs best 22 including Geelong and Collingwood (although we get frustrated he is a highly rated player in the AFL community). He may play three more seasons at one of the clubs trying for success but at melb he maybe faded out to make way for the future even though he is a better players, what would you do. So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough, do you leave or stay?

Will this effect the club? Yes and No, I discuss contracts with one young player and although he wants to be a one club player these things are watched by them and do effect there decision. It resolves to them that this is a business and if MFC are on a rebuilding phase when I am older, although I maybe good enough they will retire me thus I am a commodity (see robbo, jnr and now bruce). If GWS double my salary then I need to consider if I leave, although money isn't the only issue, I need to make the best decision for me not 'look after the club' as it won't happen when the shoe is on the other foot. So I believe that these sort of decisions although correct for the club and they have made the right decision can influence future contracts.

So if you are a professional and only get paid to play which options would you take, although you love the club you are going to thrown aside even though you are good enough.

You make some valid points. Most posters reactions at this stage are largely emotional (understandable).

I'm sure Bruce's sticking point was not "guaranteed" games but an assurance that he would get a game if best 22.

This should have been sorted out pre-trading time though

I thought though that you did yourself a disservice re comments on Robbo. He was nowhere near best 22 in his last year. In fact he was an embarrasment which was a pity given all the highlights of his previous years. It was sad that even he thought he had more years still left in him

[e25 5]

I have to say I didn't expect it. It's a shock. I thought he would stay.

Having said that I don't really care. IMO he had become borderline best 22. His kicking was getting worse. Bail can give us plenty of run from half back, which lessens Bruce's value to the team. And he's getting on in age.

I can understand his decision, but I wish he's made it back before/during trade week, so we could at least have tried to get another draft pick in the ND. This way we get nothing at all given he's a veteran.

He may have thought that gave him extra leverage for us to meet his demands.

Or alterntively, other suitors may not have come into the picture until it became clear they could acquire him "for free".

Either way, I agree with your post.

[Wolfmother 182]

Of all the senior players we apparently let go too early or replaced with younger players, not one was picked up by another club. That tells me that we have continued to do the right thing and that our timing has been very good.

You don't have to buy it but Cam only left after his meeting with DB to discuss his future role not his future contracts. And history at MFC shows that players that would be in our best 22 are delisted....

I think that's the issue here regarding his decision to quit now, if he moves now and becomes part of another club and their plans he gets 2/3 years if he stays another year at MFC he may not be picked up this time next year.

[Jaded No More 68,972]

You don't have to buy it but Cam only left after his meeting with DB to discuss his future role not his future contracts. And history at MFC shows that players that would be in our best 22 are delisted....

I think that's the issue here regarding his decision to quit now, if he moves now and becomes part of another club and their plans he gets 2/3 years if he stays another year at MFC he may not be picked up this time next year.

I'd love to know which player can walk into Dean Bailey's office and get a guarantee on their future role at the club.

As I've said, he is completely entitled to look after himself and his family's future, but as supporters we are also entitled not to feel as though the club has let him down. We were happy to pay him and have him stick around, and we would have backed him again if he had a good year and played 2011 the way he played the last few games of 2010. He obviously didn't feel confident in himself that he could do it.

[titan_uranus 25,042]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/94573/default.aspx

Jetta is contracted till 2012. So is Strauss, Spencer, Bartram and anyone else you might be thinking of delisting next year that I didn't mention. I doubt we'd terminate contracts early. If Martin, Maric or Warnock make themselves undelistable next season, like Bartram and Dunn did this year, it will be very hard to find 3 without trading players out. Prove me wrong.

Bigfooty contracts thread here http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=767361

When, and on what basis, did we re-sign Strauss till 2012? I don't wish to knock the kid, but, despite injury, he's shown next to nothing so far, and 2011 is his 3rd year at the club. TMac wasn't afforded a long contract, so I'm quite surprised Strauss has that security.

[Wolfmother 182]

You make some valid points. Most posters reactions at this stage are largely emotional (understandable).

I'm sure Bruce's sticking point was not "guaranteed" games but an assurance that he would get a game if best 22.

This should have been sorted out pre-trading time though

I thought though that you did yourself a disservice re comments on Robbo. He was nowhere near best 22 in his last year. In fact he was an embarrasment which was a pity given all the highlights of his previous years. It was sad that even he thought he had more years still left in him

You might be right about Robbo but I would of love him at the start of the year especially when Jurrah and Petterd went down. Overall I think the club did the right thing retiring Robbo and Jnr. I think the club has made some hard calls but are putting us towards the ultimate goal which is to have MFC as a power once again.

I'm just more annoyed at the board smashing the player for looking after himself but have no issue when the shoe is on the other foot.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Wolfmother

[Adzman 2,154]

Cam Bruce leaving the red and blue is straight up sad. This is one of the last nails in the coffin of the Daniher era.

He will be missed, but there would have been some conversations with Club and player that we are not privy to, and with that said I will leave any judgement i might have for either side alone.

I wish him the best, and hope he can carve out a few more years elsewhere. Time will tell if it was the right thing to do for Bruce. The club is down a leader, but now some playing time has been freed up for another kid. Our premiership window is not open yet, so it is really hard to say how this move will effect the group this season onwards. I think there are enough developing leaders down at the club to cover his absence.

I do expect the dees will draft the best available player having now lost another midfield player in Bruce.

[WonnaJurah 5]

What draft pick does it free up for us and would we use it on a recycled player?

[Nasher 33,617]

What draft pick does it free up for us and would we use it on a recycled player?

An extra rookie pick, and therefore no.

[jayceebee31 761]

you to, I was wondering the same thing, but only based on the No of posts.

They do sound like different characters to me. Their dialogue seems a different style.

This could not be so- Yze Magic was a thorough gentleman -at least to me.

[ox_5 163]

An extra rookie pick, and therefore no.

It could allow them to take a punt on a mature aged rookie

[Nasher 33,617]

It could allow them to take a punt on a mature aged rookie

Hardly fills one with excitement though does it? We've got buckletloads of space on the rookie list to take a punt on a mature aged rookie anyway if there are any worth bothering with.

[#MYHEARTBEATSTRUE 27]

This could not be so- Yze Magic was a thorough gentleman -at least to me.

That has got me stunned...

[Keyser Söze 0]

I'm not exactly going to miss him.

And we move on...