THE WESTERN Bulldogs have broken their stalemate with St Kilda and added Josh Bruce to their forward line.
Bruce landed at the Dogs after they gave up picks 32 and 51 for the 27-year-old.
Both clubs had been stubborn in their valuation of Bruce, with the Dogs not wanting to give up pick No.13 in the Telstra AFL Draft, while the Saints had been adamant the Bulldogs' next selection (No.32) wasn't sufficient for the left-footer.
Bruce had been contracted by the Saints until the end of 2020 but accepted a four-year deal from the Dogs.
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He had surgery after the season ended to repair joints in his left index finger but is expected to be available to complete a full pre-season.
Western Bulldogs head of recruiting Sam Power said Bruce was just the type of player the club was after.
"We felt we needed to add an experienced key forward to our mix and Josh certainly fits that category," Power said.
"He has been a consistent player now at AFL level for a number of seasons.
"Josh is a good athlete who competes well. He is a strong contested mark who consistently hits the scoreboard, as he has shown by kicking 36 or more goals in four of the past five years (injuries limited him to three games in 2018).
"He will be a great support to our young key forwards in Aaron Naughton and Josh Schache, and we are confident they can all work well together in the same team."
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Bruce ranked No.6 in the competition this season for total contested marks and can pinch-hit in the ruck if required.
The Bulldogs become Bruce's third club after he started his career as a defender for Greater Western Sydney, before being traded to the Saints at the end of 2013.
More to come.
