Cam Bruce

[BrownlowBruce 1]

did anyone else notice Cam Bruce had new boots on the weekend?

perhaps he knew he had problems with them (poor disposal)

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

did anyone else notice Cam Bruce had new boots on the weekend?

perhaps he knew he had problems with them (poor disposal)

Yep I noticed. They worked well too!

[Slartibartfast 17,257]

Bruce is a receiver 95% of the time, therefore he needs someone else to win the ball for him.

I can understand why people get this "receiver" impression about Cam because he doesn't knock people down in getting his own ball. He wins it with smarts and skill rather than brawn. Thankfully Graz has put to bed one of the most common misconceptions in footy about Cam Bruce. I strongly suspect he'll walk away with a club B&F this year and well deserved.

It's a shame there aren't stats that show the other commonly presented theory, that Brad Green is soft, is utter rubbish.

I accept everyone is entitled to an opinion; it's just disappointing when it is so obviously wrong and it defames a player who has done nothing to deserve the innuendo the tag implies.

[Jaded No More 68,906]

I can understand why people get this "receiver" impression about Cam because he doesn't knock people down in getting his own ball. He wins it with smarts and skill rather than brawn. Thankfully Graz has put to bed one of the most common misconceptions in footy about Cam Bruce. I strongly suspect he'll walk away with a club B&F this year and well deserved.

Being a receiver is hardly a crime, and that is the point.

It doesn't detract from your value as a player, but it does mean that you need to have support around you to be successful.

And I agree completely on Green. People who think he is soft are clearly still watching tapes from 2000.

[Nasher 33,613]

Being a receiver is hardly a crime, and that is the point.

It doesn't detract from your value as a player, but it does mean that you need to have support around you to be successful.

No, the point is that Bruce isn't just a receiver as you imply. You don't have to continually put yourself at the bottom of the stacks-on pack ala Jones, McDonald or McLean to be a ball winner. Bruce will happily run in to a large group of people and come out with the ball, but people don't notice, either because they have a preconceived idea about Bruce, or the fact that he does so without any fanfare such as knocking blokes over.

Compare that to someone like Yze (or Hards :D) who will almost invariably be found at the outside of the pack, or running past going "gimme".

[jacey 333]

It's a shame there aren't stats that show the other commonly presented theory, that Brad Green is soft, is utter rubbish.

Agreed.

Don't know why ppl keep having a go at these 2.

Sure they aren't tanks (they don't play crash n bash) but they go when they have to.

[Jaded No More 68,906]

No, the point is that Bruce isn't just a receiver as you imply. You don't have to continually put yourself at the bottom of the stacks-on pack ala Jones, McDonald or McLean to be a ball winner. Bruce will happily run in to a large group of people and come out with the ball, but people don't notice, either because they have a preconceived idea about Bruce, or the fact that he does so without any fanfare such as knocking blokes over.

Compare that to someone like Yze (or Hards :D ) who will almost invariably be found at the outside of the pack, or running past going "gimme".

I did not say he was just a receiver, but he is one most of the time.

Of course when you are in the forward line, you are by nature a receiver. Bruce doesn't find himself in the centre square every round these days, when he does, I agree that he can and often does win his own ball.

Besides, the argument is that he is not our most important and best player, and often being on the end of receives is just one of the many reasons why he is not. His disposal and decision making is a far far bigger issue. TJ is also mainly a receiver, but when he is switched on, he can have as much influence as anyone in the AFL, because his kicking and vision is first rate.

People are blinded by stats a lot. More often than not Bruce is our leading possession winner and everyone gushes. On Sunday for example, I watched the game live and I did not find that Bruce had more influence on the game than someone like Jones or even Brown. Both he and Brown got loads of possessions, both of them did not do a lot with the ball. In fact, Nathan Carroll who took something like 4 contested marks in a row, had more of an influence on the match and indeed the side not being 80 points down at three quarter time. I doubt he had more than 15 possessions for the entire match though.

Again, nobody is suggesting we trade Bruce for some hack. But you need to give quality to get quality, and with all due respect, there is no higher quality than Judd. If anyone can actually make a case as to why we shouldn't offer a 28 year old for the best player in the land who also happens to be a lot younger, I'd be surprised.

[Slartibartfast 17,257]

Being a receiver is hardly a crime, and that is the point.

There is a lot in this thread Jaded so perhaps you missed Graz's post where he said:-

"...some of the stuff written about Bruce this year however, is just rubbish. He has had more contested possession than any other Demon this year and is ranked 20th in the league. He has rated consistently in our top three for CPs, Tackles and 1%s for the last three years and people keep slamming him for being a reciever."

Bruce is not a receiver, he's a ball hunter and getter in contested situations. 20th in the league is testament to his inside ability. Looks like you see the "brawn" and not the "skill and smarts".

[Slartibartfast 17,257]

I did not say he was just a receiver, but he is one most of the time.

"Bruce is a receiver 95% of the time, "

Geez he wins a lot of contested pill the other 5%!!

[Jaded No More 68,906]

"Bruce is a receiver 95% of the time, "

Geez he wins a lot of contested pill the other 5%!!

If I change it to 85% would that make you happier?

As for the skills and smarts you talk about, I haven't seen a lot of that from Bruce for quite a while. His disposal is about equal to that of McDonland at the moment, and he makes a lot of iffy decisions.

Do we have an overall team stat that shows us where we are on the contested possessions ladder?

[Nasher 33,613]

If I change it to 85% would that make you happier?

You're still implying that he's predominantly a receiver when in actual fact the stats show he's our best ball winner. Are Jones and McDonald receivers too? (or is that McDonland, you've said that twice now :D)

As for the skills and smarts you talk about, I haven't seen a lot of that from Bruce for quite a while. His disposal is about equal to that of McDonland at the moment, and he makes a lot of iffy decisions.

I believe Fan's talking smarts and skills in winning the ball. Using it is another matter entirely.

[Jonesy is the next captain 0]

If I change it to 85% would that make you happier?

As for the skills and smarts you talk about, I haven't seen a lot of that from Bruce for quite a while. His disposal is about equal to that of McDonland at the moment, and he makes a lot of iffy decisions.

Do we have an overall team stat that shows us where we are on the contested possessions ladder?

His decisions cant be too iffy, the stats in yesterdays Age showed that is use of the ball was 77% effective, dont see anything iffy about that mate

[Gouga 566]

I was suprised also to see Bruce os high in contested possesions. I already knew he was up there for tacklers and 1 per centers.

We have labelled Bruce unfairly as soft. He probably performs better as a reciever. However with the abscence of Moloney last year, and Brock and Moloney this year. He has stepped up and deserves credit.

Still trade bait but...

[Slartibartfast 17,257]

If I change it to 85% would that make you happier?

To quote a famous line from one of my favourite movies

"What we have here is a failure to communicate"

Back to class for me.

[Jonesy is the next captain 0]

Still trade bait but...

For who exactly?? Why would we trade him and for who?? And if u say Judd I will be forced to scream